Even beyond the boundaries of the showground, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show always manages to create incredible buzz and excitement, about all things gardening. Every year, after the show, the urge to get into the garden is overwhelming and unfortunately so too, is the urge to acquire every (new) favourite plant seen at the show. A handful of rather clever people have managed to harness the energy surrounding the show, [...]
Eternally venerated, my RHS Chelsea Flower Show trodden, mud encrusted, steel cap boots stand proud in the hallway. Ever the devotee of RHS Chelsea, being part of the build and planting stages to experience the enormity of the work involved and undeniable dedication to detail, has made attending this most esteemed of horticultural shows, all the more special. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show signifies much more than the habitually referred [...]
‘Bring kneeler, trowel, and nail scissors’ read the email. Usually only comically referenced for the ludicrously finicky of gardeners, though at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, nail scissors are simply convention. Detail and precision is the name of the game, far beyond anything one could ever imagine. At Chelsea, not even the brawniest of builders, lifts an eyelid at the scrupulous hoovering of garden walls, washing of trees, meticulous cleaning [...]
Wearing embarrassingly new steel toe cap boots, with matching high visibility couture, access was granted to the Royal Hospital grounds, where preparations for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012 are in full swing. The sheer scale of work required to create this most famous of plant shows, is quite incredible. The grounds are simply packed with JCB’s, bobcats, lorries and vans, causing traffic jam havoc. The main Chelsea buildings; the [...]
Renowned, award winning garden designer & plantsman, Roger Platts, explains that the real secret to growing award winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show plants, is the collaborative relationship between nurseryman and designer. In this, the fifth article in the RHS Chelsea 2012 series, Platts shares his experience in growing show garden plants for Jo Thompson, and The Caravan Club’s, ‘A Celebration of Caravanning’ RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden. Team Thompson is [...]
Garden history tends to revolve around the gardens and their gardeners, yet little is written about the plants that actually make those gardens. The humble plant, be it a common Narcissus, or blowsy peony is simply drenched in history, with Egyptians, Hugenots, Aztecs, Ottomans all thrown into the mix. Clare Foster’s book entitled, Painterly Plants, is a marvel. Meticulously documented and beautifully photographed by Sabina Rüber, Foster reveals the intriguing [...]
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