Our first show for 2011 was at the Vincent Square headquarters of the RHS for their re-vamped Great London Plant Fair. This show saw some exhibitors using market barrows to stage their exhibits we, however, put on a traditional bank of Chrysanthemums for which we were awarded a Silver Gilt Medal. It was good to be out on the road again and to meet some of our mail order customers face to face.

Next it was off to North Yorkshire and the Harrogate Spring Show. A record crowd saw some fine exhibits, despite this show being two weeks earlier than normal due to the late Easter holidays this year. Here we received a Premier Award.

Our next show was at Knebworth House near Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Another fine and sunny, although windy, weekend greeted us here. Still no rain, which we badly need. We were awarded a Platinum Medal and Best in Show.

This was the second show Martyn had staged this week. Prior to crossing over from Holyhead to Dublin, on Wednesday morning, he had set up our exhibit at the Welsh Smallholders show. The display, in the walled garden at Hillsborough Castle, is the smallest that we will do this year. We were awarded a Gold Medal.

With Martyn in Northern Ireland, it was down to Don and Trevor to stage our exhibit at Chelsea. We cut our first blooms of the season just in time for the show. Both incurved and reflexed types were on display, and it was the first time that Matlock and Matlock Amber had been used. We were awarded a Silver Gilt medal.

After Detling it was a long journey north for Martyn, to Edinburgh, for Gardening Scotland. Always a good show and this year was no exception, despite two rather cool days over the weekend. Here we received a Silver Gilt Medal.

Following straight on from Gardening Scotland came The Royal Cornwall Show at Wadebridge, a distance of some 550 miles from Edinburgh! Fortunately the nursery is just a short detour off the M6, which allowed Martyn to pick up a fresh load of flowers and selling plants. Here we were awarded a Large Gold Medal and the Richards and Osborne Trophy for the Best Use of Colour.

After a successful five days at the NEC, and back to the nursery on Sunday evening, it was a cross-country trip to Lincoln on the Monday. Martyn set up the exhibit and did the Wednesday. Trevor came across early on the Thursday with a fresh load of flower and selling plants for Martyn to take onto his next show, Axe Vale. Trevor stayed and finished off Lincoln. At Lincoln we received a Large Gold Medal and the Louth Trophy for Best in Show for an exhibit up to 100 square feet.

Whilst Martyn was at Axminster Trevor, fresh back from Lincoln, set up and manned the local Arley Hall Garden Festival. He was awarded a Gold Medal.

Next came the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. At this show we repeated the corner exhibit that we staged last year, again to wide acclaim from the public. The judges were also impressed and awarded us a Gold Medal.

Next Trevor was off to Detling, in the "Garden of England", for our first time exhibiting at the Kent County Show. We were awarded a Large Gold Medal and Best in Show..

With Martyn in Builth Wells the Tatton Park exhibit was staged by Don and manned Trevor and his daughter, Hannah. Despite problems caused by a very leaky marquee we received an RHS Gold Medal.

Next show for Trevor was our first visit to this popular event held at the Gateshead Central Nursery, Lobley Hill. This area of the country has a very strong tradition of Chrysanthemum growing and so we thought that it was high time we put in an appearance. We were awarded a Gold Medal.

Martyn made the journey north to the west coast of Scotland for this show in Rozelle Park on the outskirts of Ayr. The first two days were fine, and even the rain on the last day did not deter the crowds. We were awarded a Large Gold Medal and the Royal Burgh of Ayr Trophy.

With Martyn still on holiday, Trevor and Don made the trip to Southport. Here we put on an exhibit following the show theme of "Vintage", using some of Don's collection of memorabilia. We were awarded a Large Gold Medal.

This week Martyn made the long journey north to the beautiful city of Dundee on the Firth of Tay. Here in Camperdown Park, an old estate with some wonderful mature trees, the local council run this very friendly show. Here we were awarded a Gold Medal.

This year, for the first time, we put on a small display at the National Chrysanthemum Society's Early Flowering National Show held on the Staffordshire Agricultural showground, Stafford. It was good to chat to a number of exhibitors and to see the high standard of entries from growers from all around the UK. We were awarded a Gold Medal.

Martyn, meanwhile, was off to Newbury, Berkshire and the last big agricultural show of the year. Here we were awarded a Large Gold medal.

At this show, just to do something different, we put on a display using pillars to raise the bowls of blooms rather than our traditional bank of flowers. The show visitors enjoyed the effect and the judges were also impressed, awarding us an RHS Gold Medal.