Taming The Wild At Chelsea
The Gardener|September 2019

Part Two of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Gillian O'Donoghue
Taming The Wild At Chelsea

After covering two RHS flower shows in the past few weeks, Chatsworth and Hampton Court Palace, I’ve identified a common thread running through all the RHS shows this year, and that is ‘nature and nurture’ using reclaimed and recycled elements and sustainable planting schemes. Most of the gardens have been designed to attract wildlife, and with ‘wellness’ being the new buzz word, living walls that are both ornamental and edible are also a highlight at the shows. Chelsea is certainly the biggest show stopper with designers going all out to impress the judges and the crowds.

In the August issue I showcased the Gold Winners of the Show Gardens and the new category ‘Space to Grow’ gardens. In our spring issue I’d like to feature the quirky Artisan Gardens that won Gold.

A PALACE play garden in the woods

Colourful performers amidst the verdant forest hues included varieties of alliums, astrantias, geums, salvia, foxgloves, lupins, buddleja, purple and bearded irises and verbascum. Not only were flowers, foliage and grasses intensively planted, but vegetable and herbs were also seamlessly woven into the themes.

Before I move on, I feel I must include the Back to Nature Garden, which was co-designed by The Duchess of Cambridge and landscape architects Davies and White. A perfect example of a natural garden using branches from the forest to create play areas including a gorgeous tree house, logs for children to crawl through, a waterfall and a wooden ramp to help the children cross the meandering stream. It was amazing to see what can be achieved in a tiny space with careful and creative thought. Literally, I felt as if I’d stepped into the Delamere Forest in Cheshire, it was so realistically planted.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2019-Ausgabe von The Gardener.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2019-Ausgabe von The Gardener.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE GARDENERAlle anzeigen
FIRE AND Feathers!
The Gardener

FIRE AND Feathers!

On a dreary winter's day, a screen of fiery and feathery leaves puts up a fight against dullness!

time-read
2 Minuten  |
July/August 2024
GET THE ladies in!
The Gardener

GET THE ladies in!

At this time of year, early-flowering shrubs vie with each other to get the most attention. We say: Trust those with female names for frills and butterflies. They go the extra mile to flower their hearts out.

time-read
1 min  |
July/August 2024
Vegetable Soups and dumplings
The Gardener

Vegetable Soups and dumplings

Vegetables make the most delicious soups and classic combinations are always a winner.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July/August 2024
Yummy sweet potatoes for your good health
The Gardener

Yummy sweet potatoes for your good health

Boiled, baked or braaied, sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a delicious and healthy winter comfort food. Just a dollop of butter, a little seasoning and you are good to go.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July/August 2024
Pretty and functional
The Gardener

Pretty and functional

If cooking is your main thing, you would probably be more interested in the culinary value of the three herbs and some of their varieties we are describing.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
July/August 2024
Dried Seedheads & Pods
The Gardener

Dried Seedheads & Pods

Autumn and winter are the best times to see what flowers produce the best seedheads that can be left on the plants to feed the birds and bugs and for harvesting for dried arrangements.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July/August 2024
SO MANY FACES and so many choices...
The Gardener

SO MANY FACES and so many choices...

Whoever associated a Cotyledon orbiculata (pig's ear) with the ear of a pig obviously did not know about all the varieties and cultivars this species in the genus Cotyledon has.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July/August 2024
COLOURFUL Cold Weather WINNERS!
The Gardener

COLOURFUL Cold Weather WINNERS!

If it comes to a vote, these dependable shrubs will be the top candidates for prime performance in winter and in other seasons...

time-read
5 Minuten  |
July/August 2024
What makes a garden sustainable?
The Gardener

What makes a garden sustainable?

It is interesting to note that the United Nations defines sustainable development as: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July/August 2024
Nurturing NATURE-The Story of Kraal Garden's Transformation
The Gardener

Nurturing NATURE-The Story of Kraal Garden's Transformation

Nestled within Prince Albert's rustic embrace lies a gem that is a testament to the transformative power of human vision and nature's bounty.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July/August 2024