Slightly later than planned, but I’m back with Part 2 of my post about The Chelsea Flower Show: this time with my highlights from inside the Grand Pavilion.
With a vague threat of rain on the day, a lot of people spent the morning looking around the show gardens outside. Being contrary types, Mum and I decided to do the opposite and head indoors to enjoy the spectacular displays put on by various nurseries and specialist growers in relative peace.
After the spectacle of the show gardens, the Great Pavilion offers the chance to window shop and chat to the growers: we sought advice on deterring slugs from the the gentleman at the Bowdens Hostas stand (use WD40 on the sides of pots apparently), Mum had a mystery clematis identified and we swooned over the delicious smell of newly launched The Lady of the Lake rose at David Austin Roses.
For sheer charm though, The Peter Rabbit Herb Garden won me over; the judges were impressed too it seems as it was awarded a well-deserved Gold Medal. Replicating illustrations from the books, the garden was planted with a medley of culinary and medicinal herbs, heritage vegetables and cottage garden flowers; Peter himself nestled amongst the radish patch and his blue jacket was used as a scarecrow in the vegetable plot. Forget manicured lawns and prairie planting; I think this is garden we all secretly want to spend our days pottering in!
It was nigh on impossible to come away from the show without a host of ideas for our own gardens: on my wishlist are the beautiful rose that I mentioned and the ethereal Silene fimbriata which would look beautiful in the shady woodland garden I’d like to create at the front of the house one day.
