Thanks to my good friends from the Korros Ensemble I was invited to Chelsea Flower show this year courtesy of Lady Frances and Sir Jack Petchey (the sculptor Frances Segelmen and her husband) who were hosting a reception in Andy Sturgeons’ Gold award winning ‘Mind ‘Garden. Korros were there to entertain the guests – and they are also playing for our first concert back in 33 Hampstead Lane this Thursday. Very much looking forward to that.
Nick (clarinet) and Eliza (flute) were joined by the harpist and composer Katrin Finch but, although they looked very decorative, they had their work cut out to make themselves heard against the chatter of the guests and the general background noise of the show!
The added delight of the invitation was that it came with a ticket to the rest of the show – and who is going to refuse a ticket to Chelsea!
Because it is now over a month ago I am afraid that I do not remember all the details of what I saw – but here are a few images of the staggering blooms that fill the the massive marquee and an overview of a few of the show gardens. Sadly it wasn’t that great a day but the colours are still pretty stunning. Such as these prize begonias or the glorious deep burgundy poppies.
Most of the show gardens followed a largely white foxglove/lupin theme…
…with the occasional slightly startling outlier.
Wild flowers and sustainability were very much in evidence.
But still nothing on low allergen gardening and plants suitable for those with hay fever or other plant related allergies. This is a drum I have been banging, totally ignored, for over 20 years and that my good friend, the low allergen gardening expert Tom Ogren, has been banging a lot longer. Ten years ago I took Tom to Chelsea; there was nothing on low allergen gardening then and sadly, there still isn’t. (For more on low allergen gardening, interviews with Tom and links to his books see the FoodsMatter site here.)
Other interesting displays included this trunk house in the courtyard gardens –
A display featuring large ice blocks which would melt over the course of the week – and various flowers frozen into ice blocks.
This compilation of flower besprinkled perspex sheets to create a portrait of the queen.
And of course wonderful individual blooms.
And to end, this fine display of pineapples!
Catch up
Love it!!