Managing weeds/ wildflowers and self-seeded blow-ins really isn't an easy option. It seems to me that in a way it's much easier to manage a strict garden. At least you know to kill anything you didn't plant.
I haven’t watched any of the Chelsea coverage yet so don’t know how “wild” a garden they are promoting. But some of the discussion here seems to becoming very them and us, in the same way as threads around peat-free and no mow may.
Seemingly if we embrace natives (aka weeds) and refuse to use pesticides, herbicides and accept and enjoy seeing all nature in our gardens we are suddenly not gardeners?
I happily allow a range of natives to grow around and amongst the plants I have introduced (the natives include alkanet, buttercups, woundwort, herb Robert, red campion, honesty, hedge garlic, bluebells, cow parsley, ox eye daisies and the list goes on). My garden isn’t a weedy mess but a colourful cottage garden. I have ornamental grasses and dozens of roses which grow happily amongst the natives as do my topiary yew balls, it’s just as planned, thought about and designed as many other gardens.
It’s definitely wilder than some gardens but I still need to actively garden and spend many hours pottering, managing, dare I use the word editing my planting.
Fashion shows always show the extreme versions of an idea and Chelsea is simply that. If we don’t like a fashion we can ignore it but let’s not denigrate those that do.
If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
It seems fewer gardens are created just for sheer beauty. They all seem to have to have a " message" or a " journey" . Whilst this is very worthy in terms of their sponsors, I feel Beauty is sometimes taking a back seat.
I wonder if there's something in the scoring system these days? Of course many of the show gardens have to reflect the "message" that their sponsor wants to give.
From the preview programme I liked the look of Mark Gregory's and Chris Beardshaw's gardens, and the planting in the one that Adam Frost was in. Not keen on the jungle mountain with the gorilla nest or the one with all the rusty metal and concrete. Messages are all very well and I appreciate the work and skill that goes into them, but if I don't like the garden then I don't like it. I couldn't summon up any enthusiasm for the mushrooms (yuk!) but the brief glimpses of the rest of the pavilion looked promising.
I think I caught a glimpse of the horrible multicoloured clown-puke Houttuynia in the japanese garden. Maybe it'll be fashionable again.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I've been lucky enough to have worked on building a couple of Chelsea show gardens over the years and its been an experience I'll never forget. The real respect from me lies with the teams of folk who manage to build such complex gardens in such a short period of time. The organisation, craftsmanship and dedication from the teams involved is monumental.
We went to Chelsea once, many years ago, on a Member's day and it was still ridiculously crowded. I'm over 6' and still had trouble seeing any of the show gardens properly. My wife who is 5'3" had no chance. We said then that we would never go back and don't plan to change that.
As for a garden 'taking you on a journey'! I simply want a garden that is practical to maintain and looks good. Nothing more and nothing less. It's a bit like art - if somebody has to explain the meaning of the piece it's failed.
I love Chelsea week! I've been once and found it all such a wonderful, inspiring experience. I can't say I had any issues seeing the show gardens either. I might have had to wait a couple of minutes or so to find my way to the front, but can't say that bothered me.
I love the focus on sustainability and conservation, but find there is equal focus on beauty, design and innovation. I can see why others might not like it, but it's such a huge event, I think there's something for everyone to get something out of. Not going this year (£££) but will be tuning in each evening for the daily coverage.
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need"
Watched for a few minutes and there were two women talking about dresses. I understand that it's a show but fgs! I was going to say it's not Ascot - but maybe it is.
Posts
I happily allow a range of natives to grow around and amongst the plants I have introduced (the natives include alkanet, buttercups, woundwort, herb Robert, red campion, honesty, hedge garlic, bluebells, cow parsley, ox eye daisies and the list goes on). My garden isn’t a weedy mess but a colourful cottage garden. I have ornamental grasses and dozens of roses which grow happily amongst the natives as do my topiary yew balls, it’s just as planned, thought about and designed as many other gardens.
It’s definitely wilder than some gardens but I still need to actively garden and spend many hours pottering, managing, dare I use the word editing my planting.
East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I love the focus on sustainability and conservation, but find there is equal focus on beauty, design and innovation. I can see why others might not like it, but it's such a huge event, I think there's something for everyone to get something out of. Not going this year (£££) but will be tuning in each evening for the daily coverage.