February 2012

Ever since its first inception in 1913, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has represented the absolute zenith of the gardening calendar. Steeped in tradition with Royal association, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show sets the standard for horticultural excellence. This series on Chelsea, featuring Jo Thompson, garden designer and Chelsea gold medalist, highlights the journey of a designer (and team) in the run up to the most famous of garden shows. [...]

With the garden in pseudo-dormant mode, visiting gardens without the habitual apprehension of neglecting one’s infinite gardening to-do list, is a delight. Unless one harbours strong galanthrophilic tendencies, it could be argued that this may not the best time of year to visit gardens. Void of formal herbaceous borders, landscape gardens are an exception to the rule. Breathtakingly beautiful, Stowe is the remarkable creation of Charles Bridgeman, John Vanburgh, James [...]

Through the throng of garden press, a rather determined elderly gentleman worked his way towards me at last week’s Garden Press Event. ‘Are you the tall lady I am to meet to discuss this?’, he inquired whilst feverishly pointing to an edition of Garden Centre Update (GCU) magazine. Unfortunately, qualifying only on the ambiguous height requirements, he swiftly moved on. Only, as later revealed in various discussions on the trade [...]