I have never been so underwhelmed by the gardens generally, than I have this year.
That was very much our reaction to the show gardens at the Malvern Spring Show. There was a serious lack of colour, but much of that may be down to the cost of trying to force plants to flower when they shouldn't.
Well I'm just on my way home and I thought it was fabulous. I am so glad that after a 20 year break my friend persuaded me to go again, I honestly think it's a vintage year. Several of the gardens that I was not keen on on TV, or which suffered from an excess of 'story' were actually much better in the flesh - the Samaritans garden in particular which had some absolutely brilliant planting. Having really looked forward to Chris Beardshaw's, it was a tiny bit disappointing (only a tiny bit - it was still fantastic - but not his best work). Sarah Price's garden was even better than it looks on TV. Sublime. I went back 3 times to look again and again. I've got tonnes of photos but I'll post some when I've sorted them a bit. Very happy 🙂
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
I did enjoy Barry Procter being interviewed by Adam Frost tonight, and them both paying tribute to Geoff Hamilton. There was a beautiful pale pink scabious on his stand, but l don't know which one it was, l don't think it's listed on their website.
.Glad you had a good time @LG_ It can be so difficult to get a real feel for the gardens on TV. Monty was saying how much he appreciated Cleve West's design and planting once he actually got inside the garden. It's a shame the public can't do the same, but the logistics make it impossible.
Gardening shows such as Chelsea or even a small village horticultural show are part of our gardening heritage. An opportunity for us gardeners to get together and talk about a subject close to so many people's hearts. It is that interaction that increases our knowledge and understanding of plants and gardens. It is just as good for mental health as gardening it'self.
So much time in recent years has been about the solitary side of gardening, at home with no one to visit ,or share it with. We are so lucky that we have these chances returned to most of our lives. It is not about looking back with 'rose tinted glasses' but to accept that budgets are tighter now and enjoy what we do have.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I totally agree with you @LG_ - it was a fantastic show. So many of the show gardens were so much better than the TV made them look - particularly Horatio’s Garden, which was stunning. My only point of difference was I thought Chris Beardshaw’s was one of his best ever - really bold confident planting in blocks (which was such a contrast to the wild and wispy look that was prevalent elsewhere) that had a massive impact. Hope he wins people’s choice. The Mark Gregory one was also much better in real life - the stuff that dreams are made of.
Had a fantastic day, and am now off to do it all again. Working in the cloakroom this afternoon but time for another look at all my favourites before I start.
Two points to make. @punkdoc said it on page 1, @Fairygirl has just reminded us IT'S A SHOW. One of the landscape/ garden builders said it on a programme when they were showing the building of some gardens. He said it's A STAGE SET, THEATRE WITH PLANTS.
Where I volunteer at Capel Manor we have several ex Chelsea gardens, set up to give ideas and show what can be done. In the past when gardens were relocated they were often "modified " to make them more realistic and have, a proper seasons interest. Nowadays I believe more of the gardens are designed to be relocated in fact I think it's one of the criteria.
Really pleased that those who have been thought the gardens were good. Apparently the judges mark you down, if you can't get the best view of a garden from the outside.
The rumour I have read, is that C. West was nailed on for best in show, except it was felt that you could not fully appreciate the garden from the outside.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
Posts
That was very much our reaction to the show gardens at the Malvern Spring Show. There was a serious lack of colour, but much of that may be down to the cost of trying to force plants to flower when they shouldn't.
Very unkind comment about Joe Swift
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've got tonnes of photos but I'll post some when I've sorted them a bit. Very happy 🙂
.Glad you had a good time @LG_
Monty was saying how much he appreciated Cleve West's design and planting once he actually got inside the garden. It's a shame the public can't do the same, but the logistics make it impossible.
So much time in recent years has been about the solitary side of gardening, at home with no one to visit ,or share it with. We are so lucky that we have these chances returned to most of our lives. It is not about looking back with 'rose tinted glasses' but to accept that budgets are tighter now and enjoy what we do have.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Had a fantastic day, and am now off to do it all again. Working in the cloakroom this afternoon but time for another look at all my favourites before I start.
@punkdoc said it on page 1, @Fairygirl has just reminded us IT'S A SHOW.
One of the landscape/ garden builders said it on a programme when they were showing the building of some gardens. He said it's A STAGE SET, THEATRE WITH PLANTS.
Where I volunteer at Capel Manor we have several ex Chelsea gardens, set up to give ideas and show what can be done. In the past when gardens were relocated they were often "modified " to make them more realistic and have, a proper seasons interest. Nowadays I believe more of the gardens are designed to be relocated in fact I think it's one of the criteria.
The rumour I have read, is that C. West was nailed on for best in show, except it was felt that you could not fully appreciate the garden from the outside.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Simply my honest opinion.