For the first time this year I think I was a bit disappointed. I’ve never visited Chelsea so see it all through what the BBC thinks we should see and I was left each day with wanting more. Football, darts, golf etc etc tournaments take over the entire schedule for weeks at a time so why can’t we have a full week of Chelsea and cover it in much more depth; I could listen to David Austin talk for hours and the lovely gentleman with the clematis. I’ve read about the problems; fewer show gardens, plant growers not getting the credit for the blooms, which is mad because there wouldn’t be a show without them and that the planters are very often unpaid, uncredited women. I think it could be so much more and it needs to reflect changes; I find the whole Monday thing a bit exclusionary, like poor Victorian street urchins gazing at their ‘betters’. On the positive note, Jo’s garden was the standout for me and I also loved the Chelsea Pensioners’ small one. I too loved the Me and Em balcony and would have like to have seen more of it. One of the best wasn’t even shown and I found out about it through JP; the Bamford stand was stunning and we didn’t see any of them. Maybe the BBC doesn’t show as they’re ‘trade’ but isn’t the whole of Chelsea really? I sound really curmudgeonly but I truly did love it. It’s just that I’ve thought about it quite a lot and it’s not perfect, is it?
No, it’s definitely not perfect! This post started out as a much longer thing, about how easy it is to get bogged down in the hype surrounding the show gardens, and in the end I deleted it all and decided to keep it simple and ‘shallow’. I too loved the Bamford pellies stand, and the Alitex stand (also full of pelargonium) was a total joy. And YES I wish the telly would do a deeper dive with all the growers…it’s all very sound-bitey isn’t it. I guess that’s where new media can come in? To satisfy us geeks?
Absolutely. To be really honest I don’t really enjoy the afternoon slots. I’d have loved to see the Alitex stand, where’s the telly segments on greenhouses and potting sheds? You’re right about new media; I loved the podcast Jo did, and her Substack interview with JP.
I did enjoy my day on Wednesday but I don’t think it was worth the £138 ticket. I must have found the one bargain in the entire show which was 2 hand made terracotta bell mobiles for £10 from True Fair Trading. I actually asked him 3 times for the price because I thought I must have mistaken him! I have hung them from my ancient Arbutus tree and they look lovely.
I loved all of those too and also the planting in the boodles raindance garden. I have a troublesome part shady bed and this was giving me very good inspiration for adding some prettiness to it so it’s not in such stark contrast to my other much sunnier beds that are choc full of roses and froth. I didn’t buy anything (except for a £17 programme 😱) but no doubt will be spending a small fortune at the nursery on all the new plants I now have to buy! Good luck for half term, am off to East Rushton gardens in Norfolk tomorrow which I know will be beautiful and hopefully quirky enough for the children to enjoy!
I loved the pools in that garden - so tranquil. I wasn’t so keen on the silver they used - I know they were trying to echo the jewellery but something dark would have been lovelier I think. You remind me that I need to do a shade post! Have a wonderful time at East Rushton - what a treat!
Totally agree. It was the planting that made it interesting for me. Didn’t like all the grey hard landscaping at all, I didn’t clock it was meant to be the jewellery!
I loved Chelsea this year, it felt a little less crowded which made it so much more enjoyable. I purchased little Chrysanthemum and Fuschua plugs, a wee Camelia and a HoriHori.
For the first time this year I think I was a bit disappointed. I’ve never visited Chelsea so see it all through what the BBC thinks we should see and I was left each day with wanting more. Football, darts, golf etc etc tournaments take over the entire schedule for weeks at a time so why can’t we have a full week of Chelsea and cover it in much more depth; I could listen to David Austin talk for hours and the lovely gentleman with the clematis. I’ve read about the problems; fewer show gardens, plant growers not getting the credit for the blooms, which is mad because there wouldn’t be a show without them and that the planters are very often unpaid, uncredited women. I think it could be so much more and it needs to reflect changes; I find the whole Monday thing a bit exclusionary, like poor Victorian street urchins gazing at their ‘betters’. On the positive note, Jo’s garden was the standout for me and I also loved the Chelsea Pensioners’ small one. I too loved the Me and Em balcony and would have like to have seen more of it. One of the best wasn’t even shown and I found out about it through JP; the Bamford stand was stunning and we didn’t see any of them. Maybe the BBC doesn’t show as they’re ‘trade’ but isn’t the whole of Chelsea really? I sound really curmudgeonly but I truly did love it. It’s just that I’ve thought about it quite a lot and it’s not perfect, is it?
No, it’s definitely not perfect! This post started out as a much longer thing, about how easy it is to get bogged down in the hype surrounding the show gardens, and in the end I deleted it all and decided to keep it simple and ‘shallow’. I too loved the Bamford pellies stand, and the Alitex stand (also full of pelargonium) was a total joy. And YES I wish the telly would do a deeper dive with all the growers…it’s all very sound-bitey isn’t it. I guess that’s where new media can come in? To satisfy us geeks?
Absolutely. To be really honest I don’t really enjoy the afternoon slots. I’d have loved to see the Alitex stand, where’s the telly segments on greenhouses and potting sheds? You’re right about new media; I loved the podcast Jo did, and her Substack interview with JP.
Yes am about to catch up on all of Jo's content!
❤️
Laetitia thank you SO SO MUCH for these beautiful words about my garden - you’ve made my day xxxx
And your garden made my Chelsea. Just catching up with TGM now… when do you sleep Jo? Xxx
🤣 in the winter 🤣🤣🤣
I did enjoy my day on Wednesday but I don’t think it was worth the £138 ticket. I must have found the one bargain in the entire show which was 2 hand made terracotta bell mobiles for £10 from True Fair Trading. I actually asked him 3 times for the price because I thought I must have mistaken him! I have hung them from my ancient Arbutus tree and they look lovely.
I'm with you very much on the problem of paying north of 100 quid to get a less-than-wonderful view of these beautiful gardens. It's a lot.
I loved all of those too and also the planting in the boodles raindance garden. I have a troublesome part shady bed and this was giving me very good inspiration for adding some prettiness to it so it’s not in such stark contrast to my other much sunnier beds that are choc full of roses and froth. I didn’t buy anything (except for a £17 programme 😱) but no doubt will be spending a small fortune at the nursery on all the new plants I now have to buy! Good luck for half term, am off to East Rushton gardens in Norfolk tomorrow which I know will be beautiful and hopefully quirky enough for the children to enjoy!
I loved the pools in that garden - so tranquil. I wasn’t so keen on the silver they used - I know they were trying to echo the jewellery but something dark would have been lovelier I think. You remind me that I need to do a shade post! Have a wonderful time at East Rushton - what a treat!
Totally agree. It was the planting that made it interesting for me. Didn’t like all the grey hard landscaping at all, I didn’t clock it was meant to be the jewellery!
There was some really special stuff this year wasn't there, and maybe most in the small details and windows
Yes. The quiet bits.
I've been away so haven't really seen anything about Chelsea, so your take on it was most welcome!
Thank you! 🙏
I loved Chelsea this year, it felt a little less crowded which made it so much more enjoyable. I purchased little Chrysanthemum and Fuschua plugs, a wee Camelia and a HoriHori.
Ooh you did well on the shopping front Cheryl - jealous!