OUR QUEEN REMEMBERED
Gardeners World|November 2022
Reflecting on The Queen’s lifelong love of the natural world, Alan Titchmarsh remembers his gardening encounters with our late sovereign
OUR QUEEN REMEMBERED

My encounters with The Queen over the years were many and varied: we planted a palm tree together to celebrate the centenary of the opening to the public of Osborne House on the Isle of Wight once the home of Queen Victoria, and given to the nation after her death by King Edward VII. I say 'we' and, indeed, Her Majesty did throw a couple of spadefuls of earth in the direction of the plant, but she was then very happy to hand over the implement and let me complete the operation, smiling wryly and indicating with a raise of her arm my expertise to the surrounding spectators, who broke into a round of applause.

Our very first encounter was slightly more nerve-wracking.

I had designed a 'Country Kitchen Garden' at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 1985 and on the day of the royal visit - the Monday of Chelsea week - I stood nervously by my plot wearing, for some reason I now cannot fathom, a maroon- and black-striped blazer I had found in a junk shop, a white shirt, yellow bow tie and white trousers. I thought it unlikely that Her Majesty would be shown my modest garden, replete with flower borders, a miniature orchard underplanted with wildflowers, a rill fed by water spilling out of an old village pump and vegetables in neat rows either side of a brick path. I was mistaken. Just as I assumed she would be whisked past my creation, the president of the society ushered The Queen across the wide expanse of tarmac and told her my name. For the first time I found myself on the receiving end of that famous smile and led Her Majesty forward to examine my handiwork. She seemed genuinely interested and mentioned my "clipped ilex".

Surprise number one: The Queen used the Latin name for holly.

この記事は Gardeners World の November 2022 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Gardeners World の November 2022 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

GARDENERS WORLDのその他の記事すべて表示
A new plot for tasty crops
BBC Gardeners World

A new plot for tasty crops

Taking on a new allotment needn't be hard work. By simply following a few easy tips you can have bumper crops in no time, just like Alessandro Vitale

time-read
7 分  |
July 2024
We love July
BBC Gardeners World

We love July

July is an island floating between the joy of June and the slightly fatigued month of August. It's a grown-up month: the year has shrugged off its adolescent exuberances, the weather is (hopefully) warm enough for ice cream to be one of your five a day, the sea should be swimmable without (too much) danger of hypothermia and thoughts will be of holiday shenanigans and family barbecues. School's out this month, the next tranche of glorious summer colour is washing across our borders and it's my birthday. Lots of reasons to give three rousing cheers for July!

time-read
3 分  |
July 2024
YOUR PRUNING MONTH
BBC Gardeners World

YOUR PRUNING MONTH

Now, at the height of summer, Frances Tophill shows how to boost your plants' health and productivity with a timely cut

time-read
3 分  |
July 2024
Hassle-free harvests
BBC Gardeners World

Hassle-free harvests

Flowers are out in abundance this month and for Jack Wallington, many of these blooms make delicious, low-effort pickings

time-read
4 分  |
July 2024
Bite-sized bounties
BBC Gardeners World

Bite-sized bounties

Glorious doorstep harvests can easily turn into gluts, so let Rukmini Iyer's recipes help you savour every last bit

time-read
3 分  |
July 2024
Upcycled outdoor living
BBC Gardeners World

Upcycled outdoor living

Create unique and stylish garden features for minimal cost using reclaimed materials and simple DIY skills. Helen Riches shares four step-by-step projects and more inspiring eco tips

time-read
6 分  |
July 2024
Secrets of a COLOURFUL GARDEN
BBC Gardeners World

Secrets of a COLOURFUL GARDEN

Buildings and landscapes can play a vital role in supercharging your space, as Nick Bailey demonstrates

time-read
4 分  |
July 2024
Greening up a city balcony
BBC Gardeners World

Greening up a city balcony

Looking for sustainable, small-space gardening ideas? Take inspiration from Oliver Hymans' transformed balcony garden in north-east London - now a lush, green haven for humans and wildlife

time-read
3 分  |
July 2024
The dry and mighty garden
BBC Gardeners World

The dry and mighty garden

As we adapt our gardens to a more volatile climate, Alan Titchmarsh reveals how to create a drought-tolerant plot and picks his top plant performers

time-read
6 分  |
July 2024
Nature knows best
BBC Gardeners World

Nature knows best

Carol Klein explains how to choose plants for specific growing conditions, based on what has naturally adapted to thrive there

time-read
5 分  |
July 2024