I have been watching all the Chelsea coverage on the BBC over the last week. Considering it is the 100th Anniversary of the Chelsea Flower Show, I couldn't get that excited about it all, which is quite unusual for me. I am a traditionalist with a love of cottage garden planting which probably explains my favourite gardens this year. There were three show gardens which I really liked - mainly for the gorgeous planting. The M and G garden above, designed by Roger Platts...
The Arthritis Research garden designed by Chris Beardshaw, who suffers from a form of arthritis himself and which showed the journey a person takes when they are diagnosed with arthritis...
I did like his planting...
...and the Homebase garden, designed by Adam Frost, for a family, so there were flowers, edible plants and fruit trees in there too.
Out of the artisan gardens, my favourite was this one, 'One Stone', by the Rich brothers. Their use of the stone was beautiful and really demonstrated how effective hard landscaping could be.
Perhaps the show was better if you were actually there.
All photos from www.rhs.co.uk
I went to Chelsea about 3 years ago, my very first flower show, I was actually disappointed, it was so crowded it was virtually impossible to see anything, but like you I loved anything cottagey. I'm afraid I wont be going again, I dont like crowds xx
ReplyDeleteDear Joy
ReplyDeleteThank you. Going to Chelsea is something I promised myself I would do just once, but I haven't made it yet! I have been to Gardeners' World Live and Tatton Park, both of which I enjoyed, but that's it for the larger shows. I like the idea of Chelsea, but it does look much too crowded!
Best wishes
Ellie
I think a lot of show gardens don't reflect what normal people want. Where is the sheds and the clothes lines. I made it to Chelsea last year. We arrived just as the gates opened and were able to look around in comfort. We left just after lunch as it was getting very busy. I was at Tatton Park 10 years ago and found it a lot easier to move around.
ReplyDeleteDear cookie
DeleteThank you. Unfortunately, Chelsea doesn't reflect what most people actually have in their gardens - it's about dreams and inspiration, I think. I do agree with Diurmuid Gavin though (and that's not something I can say all that often!) - he said there wasn't enough imagination shown in the gardens. I do like to see a bit of eccentricity or quirkiness. The planting was beautiful though. I went to Tatton last year, and although it had the feeling of a country fair, which isn't a bad thing, it was easy to walk around and see the gardens.
Best wishes
Ellie
I have never been to the Chelsea Flower Show and I would love to go. But cost, distance and the crowds put me off. I like the planting in these photos very much. The English cottage garden style of planting appeals to me very much. x
ReplyDeleteDear Gillian
DeleteThank you. I haven't ever been to Chelsea either, for the same reasons as you! As much as I would like to think I am open to new ideas in gardening, deep down, I am a total traditionalist - cottage gardens, lots of roses, plants everywhere - that's my idea of heaven!
Best wishes
Ellie