RHS Chatsworth

 I went to RHS Chatsworth last Saturday on a rather drizzly and windy day.  However, the weather didn't dampen our spirits and we enjoyed the day. Once we had arrived (being delayed for a while thanks to a bicycle race through Chesterfield which closed the road), the weather decided to be kind and didn't rain on us until we got back to the car. Earlier in the week, there had been wind and rain which caused press day to be curtailed.  I was pleased I had taken my wellies though, because we decided the word for the day was 'squelch'!

 The show had a beautiful setting and we felt there was plenty to see.  Our suggestions for next year would be more seating, more tea and proper cake stalls, and more gardening related stalls.  There were lots of stalls but many of them were 'lifestyle' or interiors related, rather than gardening.  The photo above focused on the rather lovely planting in the pot - a mix of wild and cultivated flowers that appealed to me.

 There were show gardens, beautifully planted...

 ...using traditional materials.

 I was surprised by how much I liked this alpine stream garden which was also beautifully planted.

 The area in this photo particularly appealed.

 There were stands with stunning sculptures - one day, when I have a bigger garden, I would really like one of these.

 We went into the inflatable 'greenhouse' several times on our way to and from the floral marquees.

 We also went through the bridge above, enjoying the planting.  I loved the dandelion sculptures too.

 The formality of the hard landscaping reminded me of a monastery garden with cloisters.

I also liked the mix of meadow (with cows) and formal planting.

 The movable garden was a great idea, particularly for people renting a home.

I had seen this display featured in the TV coverage of  Chelsea.  I have many happy memories of a helter-skelter like this at Hunstanton.  I managed to buy what I had on my list (astrantias x three, two little agapanthus and I ordered five camassia bulbs which will arrive in September/October.)  All in all, a good start for RHS Chatsworth.  Are we going next year?  Of course we are!

My favourite Chelsea Gardens 2017

I always watch the BBC coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show, but have never actually visited the show.  I think that when I see the crowds, it does put me off.  The TV coverage always gives a much more detailed view of the gardens too, although it doesn't give the whole atmosphere that being there would.  The RHS Chelsea Flower Show website is a great resource and  that is where all these photos have come from.  Thank you to them!
So, onward to a round up of my favourite gardens - a completely biased view, naturally. Above is the 500 years of Covent Garden by Lee Bestall, which got a silver medal.  I like the planting and the zingy blue/green of the metalwork reproduced in the planters.

 The Morgan Stanley Garden by Chris Beardshaw was given a silver gilt medal (I think it should have been a gold).  Again the planting is beautiful and the exuberance represents Mozart's music, whereas the shady area in the right of the picture represents Bach (I think).

 The Linklaters Garden for Maggies by Darren Hawkes also has some lovely vibrant planting (there is a theme here...) and won a gold.

 The Zoe Ball Listening Garden by James Alexander Sinclair offers a contrast to all the vibrant colours, with peace and shade.  The three water features all have different ripple patterns which give different sounds and apparently, if you put your foot on the gravel at the front of the garden, you can feel vibrations.

My favourite garden is the Anneka Rice Colour Cutting Garden by Sarah Raven.  Just look at those colours!  

 I would love to have a garden like this myself.

 It is filled with annuals and I particularly like the formal paths with the floofy (my word for exuberant and effervescent) planting.

More stunning planting with cooler colours in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Centenary Garden by David Domoney which got a silver medal.  I really like the railings, made to represent the 154 countries in which the War Graves Commission operate.  If you have ever visited one of their cemeteries, you'll know how beautifully they are arranged, planted and cared for.

 The Poetry Lovers' Garden was given a silver medal and was designed by Fiona Cadwallader.  Lovely dry stone walls encase the garden, with a shady seating area and rippling water feature - just the place to sit and read.

Finally, I had to include the World Horse Welfare Garden by Adam Woolcott and Jonathan Smith . The horse sculpture made from donated horseshoes, including one from one of the Queen's horses, is amazing.  The left side of the garden shows an uninviting area for horses, with a falling apart stable and some poisonous to horses plants, such as ragwort and on the right, the horse is free, in a field. 

From my choices, I think I am a romantic gardener, in the cottage garden style and that is the way I garden at home.  Hard edges, angles and minimalist planting is just not appealing to me.  

The gardens at Chelsea always show a great attention to detail and demonstrate a  wonderful celebration of gardening.