For years I have heard about the show, watched gardening programs with my mum (yes, I am THAT sad) & dreamed of being able to go. So I was giddy with joy when we got off at Sloane Square & walked towards the Chelsea Hiospital Gardens. I may have even skipped - but I wouldn't admit to it in court.
For the uninitiated (or those who simply have never given much of a thought about plants/gardens before), the Chelsea Flowers Show is an anual 5 day event where plant breeders, landscape gardeners & just about anyone who makes their living from botany gather to show off. They get together to tell/show us how great & clever they ,to show each other how great/clever they are & to bask in their own greatness/cleverness. It's a wonderful way to use up your "ooooooh & ahhhhh" quota of the year. Amongst the inifite number of wonderful thigns we saw were the most perfect mountain of strawberries, orchids never seen before, landscapes of carnivourus plants, acres of landscapes competition "rooms", walls of lupins & mazes of fragrant roses. I'm not sure I'm expressing JUST how much I loved walking around this show.
The afternoon slot was not nearly enough. I nearly cried when the anouncment was made to clear out. If I am lucky enough to go again I will try for a day pass - if not multiple day passes. I estimate we saw about a quarter of what was t be seen, & at an incredibly fast pace. So these are the tips for potential visitors to Chelsea. Get in early, get the longest time slot you can afford, bring your camera & your barging elbows (by Christ, there are a lot of others trying to see it all too) & have the most wonderful time.
There are bazillions more photos to come in future blogs.
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