Monday, May 20, 2013

Chelsea 2013

Monday, May 20, 2013   Mark and Gaz   35 comments

We have had quite a busy, and enjoyable day at the 2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. As mentioned in our preview post we will be covering this in more detail over the coming few days (especially once we have been able to sort through the many photos we both took.
M&G Garden

 Today was judging day, with the results being announced tomorrow morning, we had a go at guessing how some of the gardens and exhibitors would do, so it will be good to compare our estimates to the actual results tomorrow. 

 The celebrities were also out in force today, and we spotted quite a number, ranging from ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, actresses Joanna Lumley and  Helen Mirren, TV presenters such as Anneka Rice, Tommy Walsh and Nick Knowles, Singer Kim Wilde and a whole bunch of other personalities from TV, the arts, sport etc.



 However the real stars of the show are of course the exhibitions, the show gardens, nurseries and of course the plants. The most botanical interest is found in the great pavilion with nurseries such as Trewidden (see our recent trip), Crug Farm, Todds Botanics (who we last visited back in 2011) and Burncoose, to name just a few... 
Trewidden had a plant in the short-list for plant of the year - Aeonium 'Poldark'
Trewidden had a plant in the short-list for plant of the year - Aeonium 'Poldark'
Crug Farm
Crug Farm
Todds Botanics
As well as the nursery stands there were of course the large floral exhibitions, particular highlights for us coming from Birmingham City Council, The Thailand Tourist Board, Hilliers and Taiwan. 
Hilliers "Risk" Garden
Slate and steel sculpture by Tom Stogdon
Hilliers make dramatic use of sculpture and some great plant combinations in the Risk garden. The Slate and steel sculpture is by Tom Stogdon.
Part of the Amazing Thailand Display
More orchids, this time from Taiwan 
Birmingham City Council
Outside there are plenty of gardens to choose from and we will cover them in more detail but I think my initial favourites were the Flemmings Australian Garden, The Wasteland Garden and also The Japanese Garden (actually called An Alcove).
Stop the Spread
Marc Quinn's sculpture is being auctioned to raise money for future horticulturists - anticipated to raise over £1m
An Alcove (Tokonoma) Garden
The M&G Centenary Garden – ‘Windows through Time’
Chris Beardshaw's garden for Arthritis Research UK
The Wasteland
Stoke-on-Trent’s Story of Transformation
Sentebale Forget-Me-Not Garden
Tetris with bushes... The Telegraph Garden
Trailfinders Australian Garden
Trailfinders Australian Garden
And how did Trewidden get on with their entry to plant of the year.... sadly the Aeonium 'Poldark' didn't win, however the winner was Mahonia 'Soft Caress' which we even have growing in our garden (see here for our post).

That's it for our initial look at Chelsea 2013, we are going back for a closer look tomorrow - and of course to see which gardens and exhibits win which awards!

Gaz

Posted in: Chelsea Flower Show , garden design , Garden Show , RHS
Location: RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Hospital Chelsea

35 comments :

  1. scottweberpdx20 May 2013 at 23:06

    You don't know how lucky you are to live somewhere that celebrities care about gardening! Love that sculpture and planting at the ‘Windows through Time’ garden...is that Cirsium rivulare?

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    1. Mark and Gaz21 May 2013 at 22:22

      That's interesting to hear Scott, it was very well attended by well known people and it was fun to see them. Not sure what plant that is, it could be Cirsium but will check their plant list as soon as we get the chance.

      Delete
  2. Tatyana@MySecretGarden20 May 2013 at 23:42

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! We left London on the 16th of May. I wish I could stay there for one more week.

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    1. Mark and Gaz21 May 2013 at 22:24

      You're welcome! You missed it by just a few days, perhaps maybe aim to attend one of the future editions? You'll enjoy it for sure!

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  3. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)20 May 2013 at 23:46

    So many interesting gardens and displays. The Australia garden was my favorite too. I can't wait to see more in the days to come.

    As Scott said, for us Americans it's hard to believe that celebrities would go to a garden show unless it was a paid publicity appearance. Aside from Martha Stewart I can't think of a single U.S. celebrity who's into gardening.

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    1. Mark and Gaz21 May 2013 at 22:25

      Fascinated by tidbit, just shows how much gardening is ingrained within British culture that even some celebs are interested in it.

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  4. outlawgardener21 May 2013 at 02:40

    My head is spinning with all of the beautiful images of Chelsea! It's absolutely fabulous that your celebrities are interested in gardening! (Sorry Ms Lumley, I couldn't help myself.) I also love the fact that Chelsea is held out of doors so the gardens can be seen under natural light.

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    1. Mark and Gaz21 May 2013 at 22:27

      Ab Fab indeed :) natural light is the best for garden shows

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  5. Nic21 May 2013 at 02:44

    Thank you for the in-depth reporting. Living vicariously through you... :)

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  6. Esther Montgomery21 May 2013 at 04:01

    Some of these gardens are very much more elegant than those I seen in pictures other years. I've never been to Chelsea so don't know whether this is down to your choice of what to show or a change in what designers are creating.


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    1. Mark and Gaz21 May 2013 at 22:29

      There is a change through the years, as trends come and go and the show evolves. There is a different sense of elegance in this year's batch :)

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  7. danger garden21 May 2013 at 06:40

    I want to repeat everything said above! Mostly it's just so odd for my eyes to see display gardens outdoors...and speaking of how was the weather? Looks like it might just have been perfect?

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    1. Mark and Gaz21 May 2013 at 22:33

      Hopefully the shows there will very soon evolve to be held outside although with most of them held relatively early in the year then its probably not feasible.

      Monday and Tuesday were mostly grey and overcast but at least it was dry which was good :)

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  8. Roslyn21 May 2013 at 06:48

    Is it a whole 12 months since I "tagged along" with you to the last Chelsea show? - Thanks for sharing this wonderful event. One day I may get there in person but until them I really enjoy your photos and commentary.

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  9. Libby21 May 2013 at 08:18

    I have rejoined the RHS yesterday. It is 4 years since I went to Chelsea, I definitely want to go again. In the meantime I am getting tickets for Hampton Court, I have never been there before. Keep the photos coming I love, love, love them x

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    1. Mark and Gaz21 May 2013 at 22:35

      Nice one Libby, and glad to know you're enjoying the pics :) if you love Chelsea then you're likely to enjoy Hampton Court too!

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  10. Sunray Gardens21 May 2013 at 11:39

    What wonderful photos. Some choice display gardens. Amazing the people that attended and you got photos of.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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  11. colin21 May 2013 at 15:05

    Sad the Aeonium 'Poldark' didn't win, but Mahonia 'Soft Caress' is a pretty neat plant! Am going on saturday, so hoping to pick one up at the plant sell off. Really excited, and this post made me more so!

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    1. Mark and Gaz21 May 2013 at 22:37

      Might bump into you on Saturday Colin, be nice to catch up if so :) hopefully you'll get hold of a Poldark then, its a really nice Aeonium!

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  12. HolleyGarden21 May 2013 at 18:05

    I wish I could go there one year! It must be so thrilling. That wire woman sculpture is so interesting! I look forward to seeing more of the gardens in your future posts.

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  13. ricki21 May 2013 at 19:47

    You make clear why this show is world famous.

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  14. VP22 May 2013 at 11:36

    Missed you - boo :(

    I love your name for the Telegraph garden - it will forever be 'Tetris with bushes' in my head ;)

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    1. Mark and Gaz22 May 2013 at 12:36

      Sorry to have missed you Michelle! It was all a bit of a rush last Monday, didn't get the chance to catch up with everyone that day. Hopefully we'll be able to meet up again soon :)

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  15. Janet/Plantaliscious24 May 2013 at 17:47

    I've found the TV coverage truly dreadful this year, so I am particularly looking forward to reading your detailed posts on the show.

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  16. Mr Paul24 May 2013 at 20:36

    Your Chelsea coverage photos are fantastic guys, I do hope the rain holds off tomorrow or people are going to have some rather soggy 8ft delphiniums to get onto the tube and bus:)
    Shortly after you snapped Joanna Lumley at Chelsea she sat down at the table next to us at the Dorchester for afternoon tea:)

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  17. gardenenvy25 May 2013 at 06:22

    Beautiful gardens and hopefully one day I will make it to the famous Chelsea show! Thanks for all the blog posts. Jeannine

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  18. Unknown25 May 2013 at 07:40

    Nice post, It is looking very nice.You keep your garden perfectly.If you need any tree service then contact Birmingham Tree Service

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  19. b-a-g25 May 2013 at 14:35

    Thanks for this review. M&G and Tokonoma gardens look so peaceful.

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  20. David Marsden26 May 2013 at 10:47

    I wonder whether Joanna and Ringo took photos of you, Boys? D

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  21. David15 June 2013 at 05:14

    I liked this post a lot especially stop the spread! David/:0)

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