Thursday 24 May 2018

Chelsea week 2018 (a biased view of my favourite things based on the TV coverage)

 One year, I would like to visit Chelsea Flower Show in person, just to say I have been.  However, I do watch all the TV coverage that I can and in fact, I probably see more through the coverage than I would if I actually went.
I can't take any credit for the photos as I have found them courtesy of the RHS Chelsea website and I have chosen the ones of the gardens or planting or features that I really like.  It is a totally biased view!
The first is The Claims Guys 'A Very British Garden' designed by Janine Crimmins.  It is indeed what a formal British garden conjures up - dry stone walls, roses, box bushes.
This would have made a beautiful fountain.
I also like the cool greens of this garden, The Warner Edwards Garden by Kate Savill and Tamara Bridge. More lovely dry stone walls here too.
I liked the pietra dura mosaic of the British Council Garden, India: a billion dreams by Sarah Eberle and thought the embroidery on the cushion echoing the beautiful stone work was really clever.
 This is such beautiful workmanship.
 The David Harber and Savills garden by Nic Howard featured some dramatic sculpture and striking colours.
 This view of the same garden shows a more gentle side.
 The 'Welcome to Yorkshire' garden by Mark Gregory again showcases beautiful dry stone walls and a great attention to detail, with wool stuck on the fences and a cow pat in the field.
 It has a vegetable plot and I like the water feature.
 I think this is my favourite garden.  I would love to sit by the wisteria and enjoy a cup of tea and piece of cake.  Edited to add: this garden won The People's Choice award this year, voted by viewers and visitors.  It seems we all appreciated the atmosphere of this garden.
 The Wedgewood tea garden by Jo Thompson showcases purple and orange planting with a dramatic sculpture.
You couldn't fail to notice the bright colours in the Supershoes Laced with Hope garden by Laura Anstiss.  It shows the progression for a child diagnosed with cancer, going through the treatment with hope and coming through.
 I do like the sculptures in this garden.
 The planting in the Viking Cruises Wellness Garden by Paul Hervey Brookes looks  really inviting.
 The Silent Pool Gin garden also appealed to me (probably to do with the word 'gin' in the title!) but also a quiet, enclosed place with more stone walls.
So, there are my favourites from the TV coverage I have seen.  I wonder if I will ever visit in person?  Seeing all the hoards of people on the TV coverage does put me off a bit as I think it would be a bit claustrophobic.  However, I am going to RHS Chatsworth in a couple of weeks time, so will let you know how I get on there.

6 comments:

  1. Thank you.
    I would LOVE to see the Chelsea Garden Show - but like you have difficulties with crowds. And wonder whether my favourites would change with the time of the day and the weather.
    Inspirational aren't they? And so, so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, EC. They are indeed inspirational - especially for those of us with small gardens as they are relatively small too. Naturalistic planting seems to be popular still and the plant of the show appears to be the lupin as I have spied them popping up everywhere. It's been a difficult year for the growers too with the really cold snaps in February and March but they have done an amazing job.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete
  2. Managed to catch some of the coverage, some really stunning designs, lovely to see the creativity and giving inspiration so we can take some elements and incorporate them in our own little plots. xcx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Chrissie. I think that's what it is all about - taking little bits of inspiration away for your own space, whether it's a plant, a piece of sculpture, a planting combination or just a feeling.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete
  3. Gorgeous!! Would love to see that in person too, but bet you're right you probably see more on TV. Think my two favorite areas would be David Harber and Wedgewood. I too love the sculptures in the garden
    Sandy's Space

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sandy. I often think it would be nice to include a sculpture in the garden, but my garden is small, so it would have to be something in keeping with that. I do like the idea I saw in a Chelsea garden in 2016 by Cleve West where there was a piece of stone with a dip carved in the top where water collected. Simple and beautiful. Perhaps one day...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete