Tag Archives: Chelsea Flower Show

Elegant Restraint

Every Chelsea has its own unique atmosphere, its dominant themes and colour palettes – and particular plants that crop up time and again.  After last year’s austerity, it was good to see that the Show was vibrant and optimistic once more, if a touch safe.  Not that I miss the vulgarity of blue glass mulches and multicoloured plastic baubles of earlier years, but there was definitely a feeling of restraint to most of the large gardens. This actually resulted in designs that most of us could happily live with – which really is no bad thing.

loccitane

But there is a little bit of me that enjoys being challenged by a touch of outrageousness.

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Chelsea Flower Show – The Great Pavilion

rare-orchids

The Luxembourg Gardens in Paris mounted their first ever display of their collection of rare orchids

heuchera

I’m not very keen on some of the foliage colours of heucheras and heucherellas but this display did make me smile

greenhouse
This interesting and informative display in the Great Pavilion explored historic gardening techniques.

french-gardening
I’d never heard of hot bed growing described as French Gardening

vedgetables

Medwyn Williams grows vegetables like no others – and has now been joined in the business by his son and grandson

avon-bulbs

Avon Bulbs make bulbs irresistible

more-avon-bulbs
More temptation from Avon Bulbs

roses
The luxuriant and fragrant Alhambra-like display at David Austin Roses

one-pot

Garden Organic are promoting their One Pot Pledge in the Great Pavilion

>insect-hotel

Proof that insect hotels can be modernist as well as rustic

garden-sculpture
The wirework sculpture was so realistic I can imagine that it trotting round the Great Pavilion checking the other displays at dawn

dahlias
Caramba! Dahlias have evaded the taste police and are back in the Great Pavilion

hilliers-nursery
Hilliers Nurseries explore various colour themes of which this was the prettiest

hilliers-new-plant

Hilliers star new introduction – although its name will take some learning

peaony
Single white paeonies are much in evidence

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It’s all about Chelsea

mg-garden

Roger Platt’s garden is sure to please the crowds but was a bit lacking in drama for my taste

kazahana-garden

The stream in Kazuyuki Ishihara’s garden feels as if it has been there forever

trailfinders-garden

Fleming’s Nursery garden is always a hymn to the outdoor life in Australia – and very masculine

laurent-perrier-rear

A woodland area behind the building in Tom Stuart-Smith’s garden

loccitane-garden

Monday’s weather created the perfect setting for L’Occitane’s Provencal garden

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Chelsea Highlights

chelsea-flower-show

Places of Change garden where community projects illustrate how learning green skills can change lives

the-childrens-society-garden

Mark Gregory’s garden is designed to keep (very lucky) teenagers happy

tourism-malaysia-garden

Parakeets nesting in the trees above James Wong’s garden add an additional touch of authenticity

foreign-colonial-garden

A sinuous rill divides the warm tones of the planting in Tom Hoblyn’s garden

tom-hoblyns-garden

This tranquil pool is tucked away at the far end of Tom Hoblyn’s garden. There were quite a few naked nymphs (or bits of them) in his garden.

cancer-research-garden

The cool greens and whites of Robert Myer’s planting is a recurrent theme of this year’s gardens

laurent-perrier-garden

Tom Stuart-Smith is a consummate plantsman but I’m not sure about the minimalist structure.

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Best in Show

andy-sturgeon-garden
Andy Sturgeon’s garden deservedly won Best in Show – the 3 pots of iris are among many inspired ideas

alan-titchmarshAndy Sturgeon discussing his design with Alan Titchmarsh

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