I did Aunty Rach. I know Cardiff well so I headed straight for the show. I've never been to a flower show before and I had no idea what to expect. Some of the traders exhibits were amazing. I was a little disappointed with the show gardens, so it would seem I've worked out that I am looking for inspiration more than the plant purchasing right now, as I guess I can always go to plant fairs and nurseries, between the shows! Plus I love my new plant trolley!
Yes the show gardens don't seem the main focus of the Cardiff Show, although the floral marquee exhibits are always stunning. I like seeing ideas for planting combinations - I find Open Gardens are good for this. The town of Usk does a fab Open Gardens in the Summer:
Usk is one of the towns featured in Britain in Bloom starting next week on BBC2. I agree tho, for garden design and planting combo inspiration visit as many gardens as possible especially the Yellow Book gardens because they're usually on a smaller scale than the big estate gardens tho you can find good ideas in those too.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I don't know if you are going to Malvern @Montyfangirl, but there will be more showgardens there. I think as Cardiff is so early in the year it probably causes more problems for the designers. And there are always loads of showgardens at Gardeners World Live.
Just so you know we did go to the Ascot show today & we had a great time. It was quite small compared to Chelsea & Hampton court but the facilities were great as much infrastructure is already there to support the racegoers. Parking was free it cost us £24 each to get in, we could have saved £4 each by pre-booking but as we only decided to go at the last minute we did not mind. It was not crowded but well attended many of the main nurseries etc were there plus some smaller ones we did not know. Its on tomorrow as well & they have already set the same weekend for next year. I went to Hampton court for years from the beginning but its become too big & too crowded now.
Thanks for that AB, l shall bear it in mind for next year. Have you any photos you'd be willing to post so we could get an idea of it? Glad you had a good day
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I like seeing ideas for planting combinations - I find Open Gardens are good for this. The town of Usk does a fab Open Gardens in the Summer:
https://www.visitmonmouthshire.com/thedms.aspx?dms=3&feature=1011&venue=1100660&AskRedirect=true