RHS

And there it is. That terrifying question, conjuring up hot faced, school bench anxieties, ‘Right, time to show me what you’ve learned’. Oozing with horticultural knowledge, the RHS Chairman of Moderators, superb plantswoman and all round horticultural treasure, Jekka McVicar, guided me through the exhibits at the recent1 RHS Great Plant Fair in London, to explain the intricate process of floral marquee judging. Former reliance on my authoritative ‘staring at [...]

She’s back, on Main Avenue with bells on, and the odd dead tree. The award winning garden designer and all round good egg, Jo Thompson is preparing for her return to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2013 with a ground breaking show garden, in partnership with the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera). Thompson brought Chelsea its first Caravan in 2012, and this year her arsenal includes an avenue of [...]

Despite being an annual visitor, the intricate sweeping layout of the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show always proves problematic for my terrifically bumbling sense of direction. Attending the show is always a much anticipated event, but with the copious exhibit categories renamed and/or added every year, one can’t help but feel that similar sense of M&S frustration, where yet again some bright spark has shuffled the shelves around. Despite memories [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Without their autographed covenant, the aspiration of an RHS Chelsea Show Garden will remain just that; an aspiration. Eligibility for designing an RHS Chelsea Flower Show requires not just exceptional design, salient designer qualifications, previous show experience, generous sponsor, but above all, cooperation with a dexterous and experienced contractor. Leading on from ‘Chelsea Flower Show: The 2012 Thompson Design‘, the fourth article in this Chelsea series, highlights the role of [...]

From drama teacher to ‘garden designer tipped to watch’, in just seven short years is quite remarkable. Garden designer, Jo Thompson, is in the midst of her preparations for that most famous of horticultural marathons, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012. Leading on from ‘Competition for Space: RHS Chelsea from Sketch to Show Garden‘, this is the second post in the Chelsea series; an interview with Jo Thompson, highlighting her [...]

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. [...]