Tags
Artisan Gardens, Heucheraholics, Hillier Nurseries, Jo Thompson, Khora, RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2104, RNIB 'In the Mind's Eye' Garden, Silene diocia 'Firefly', World Vision
Rose-bud Gorilla by Pollyfields – Chelsea 2014 ©2014 Ian Curley
Chelsea Flower Show is packed with so much to see that it’s a bit hard to take it all in when you’re actually there. Scrolling through the photos once I got home and seeing the coverage on TV always makes me wish I could pop back for another visit to soak it all up in a slightly less frantic way.
Khora conservatory – Chelsea 2014 ©2014 Ian Curley
Where else would you see an orang-utan, a rose-bud encrusted gorilla, a £200,000 conservatory, bump into Christopher Biggins and see World War One commemorated with plants? The person dressed up as an orang-utan wandering around the World Vision garden seemed a bit random. The attention to detail on the rose-bud gorilla was incredible – there was a lavender elephant too – but I did wonder how anyone would have the patience to create such sculptures and whilst they smelt amazing, I couldn’t work out who would buy one. That’s a thought which quite often creeps into your head at Chelsea. As spectacular as the Khora dome-roofed conservatory was it’s hard to imagine who would part with £200,000 for such a building. But those hospitality tents at Chelsea aren’t there just to feed and water the plant lovers who visit over the course of the week. As Ed Cumming’s wrote last year in The Telegraph, Chelsea has become a place for big businesses, politicians and dignitaries to network. Who knows, perhaps Khora’s order book will be full by the end of the week.
The House of Fraser Textile Garden – Chelsea 2014 ©2014 Ian Curley
The Fresh Gardens are smaller spaces with a more contemporary feel. The’ In the Mind’s Eye’ Garden for the RNIB was fantastic. Designed as a sensory garden it had water, textural planting and vibrant colours. The colour combinations in some of the borders might not appeal to everyone as there was a lot going on but it was designed with those with visual impairments in mind where extra colours and contrast are important. I was so pleased this won ‘Best in Show’ in its category. The quirky House of Fraser Garden really caught my eye. I loved the colours on display and the idea that textile design can be inspired by nature.
Silene diocia ‘Firefly’ – Chelsea 2014 ©2014 Ian Curley
In the Great Pavilion I came across this beauty, Silene diocia ‘Firefly’. I wonder if it would make a good cut flower?
Heucheraholis – Chelsea 2014 ©2014 Ian Curley
I thought the Heucheraholics stand commemorating the First World War was outstanding.
The Hillier’s exhibit was something else. They take their displays at Chelsea to another level with trees as tall as the pavilion and so many plants packed into their space it was quite breathtaking.
Floral dresses – Chelsea 2014 ©2014 Ian Curley
The Chelsea Florist of the Year competition and the row of dresses decorated with flowers and plant material was really inspiring and I took an epic amount of photos of the incredible detail.
Chelsea 2014 ©2014 Ian Curley
And who could resist a photo on this cutie? He was one of the dogs brought in to check the showground for explosives before the Queen arrived. Tail wagging, he was lead into the gardens sniffing for anything untoward. They’re obviously trained to not to eat anything they shouldn’t. Imagine if they got a rogue dog in one year who took a fancy to some violas or who cocked his leg on a box ball.
My favourite part of Chelsea has to be the Serpentine Walk in a leafy area where you’ll find the Artisan Gardens. In this quiet secluded spot it’s much easier to appreciate the gardens and plants. I wish the RHS would devote a separate space to the Fresh Gardens. In my opinion, the Fresh Gardens suffer from being just off Main Avenue in front of the Great Pavilion – there’s just so much competing for your attention. It’s often hard to know what’s a garden and what’s a trade stand. I thought the planting on Jo Thompson’s ‘Town Square’ Garden was so beautiful but it all got rather lost in amongst the giant potpourri animals and expensive barbecues. How different it would have been if Jo’s garden had been placed in a similar setting to the Artisan Gardens.
So that’s it for another year but there’s plenty for me to take away from Chelsea 2014. I’ll be seeking out plum and wine coloured flowers for my cutting patch next year. I’m hoping to take inspiration from the floral dresses for the book I’m working on and, thanks to Mr Kazuyuki, I want to learn more about Japanese gardens.
wellywoman 
For obvious reasons I like the piano arrangement 😉 What a lovely conservatory, and the arrangement with the horse looks rather spectacular. If I were there you can bet I would photograph and pat the dog! With regards to learning about Japanese gardens, is that sort of the arrangement or also the flower types? Would they be more delicate on your soil? Have a lovely weekend xx
Yes the piano was pretty spectacular. Although Pianolearner isn’t too keen on his piano being turned into a piece of floral art. 😉 As for Japanese gardens I’m interested in learning about all of it. I’m thinking of doing an Ikebana flower arranging course and I’d love to learn more about bonsai and the garden styles. It’s all so fascinating. Have a lovely weekend too. I hear the weather hasn’t been good out there. I hope it improves. My parents are off to Ibiza soon – I think they’re hoping for warm sunshine. 😉 xx
You’ve reminded me how overwhelming Chelsea can be; last year, I was really glad of having two full days there to wander around. I managed to miss the Artisan Gardens on my first visit and then saw them early on the Saturday in bright sunshine. It was totally magical. If you’ve been following the BBC coverage, you’ll have heard Thomas Heatherwick (designer of the new London garden bridge) talking to Monty Don about the show – he suggested that the whole show be curated like an art gallery to give the visitor a better experience, especially as the show gardens are all on main avenue with the attendant crowds of people!
I’ll look out for those floral dresses tomorrow; the floristry students at Capel have been putting together something very similar – and, of course, I’m now very intrigued as to the subject of your new book!! Will you be keeping us in suspense like last time?
I saw the interview with Thomas Heatherwick. I thought his idea of it being curated was fascinating. I trained as a curator and think it would be a great idea to get some people from different disciplines such as the art/museum world, fashion and architecture to put forward some ideas for Chelsea. The fresh gardens would certainly benefit from having their own stage like the artisan gardens. Unfortunately yes, I can’t say much about book 2. It kills me as I’m dreadful at keeping secrets. 🙂
I’ve always thought it would be better to visit on two afternoons rather than being exhausted trying to pack it all into a day. Maybe next year…… I agree about the Fresh gardens, last year was the same I really wasn’t sure which were gardens and which trade stands. I think the big companies just HAVE to be a Chelsea regardless of how much they sell. I suppose if you were in the market for an expensive greenhouse or conservatory Chelsea would be a good place to see them all in one place. I think the RHS should consider having a category for cut flower patches, it does seem a lot of gardeners are doing this now (your book is very timely; Sarah Raven was a bit ahead of the trend but her book seems very dated now and actually not all that helpful). I’ve enjoyed your coverage of the show, as always it makes me feel I should have gone but then I would have missed so much here.
I’m surprised there hasn’t been a garden devoted to cut flowers yet. I’d be surprised if there wasn’t one at one of the shows next year. I’m quite tempted myself. 😉 Glad you’ve enjoyed my posts. 🙂
Why not, I’m sure you’d do a great job!
Lovely to see more Chelsea views through your eyes, you are showing us views of gardens that we didn’t see on TV, I must have missed the pink gorilla if they did show it!
The floral dress is amazing, I just don’t think I would have the patience to put all those flowers in the right place!
Thanks Pauline. I haven’t spotted the pink gorilla on TV – maybe they’ll give it a slot in tonight’s final programme. I don’t think I’d have the patience either.
I agree that there is so much to see at Chelsea (or any of theses shows, really) that you can’t take it all in. It grieves me how much I miss. In my case it’s usually the trade stands – I try to concentrate on the gardens and floral marquee. Aren’t the dresses absolutely incredible? I’ve been devouring all the telly coverage! Did you purchase the Silene? I bought one when I was at Malvern a couple of weeks ago, to plant in amongst grasses. I’ll try it as a cut flower and let you know!
I didn’t get a Silene. Unfortunately there are no plants for sale at Chelsea. Probably just as well though. It’s on my list for future purposes though. 😉
Be careful about bonsai, WW! My husband and I were given a bonsai for our birthdays a few years ago (our birthdays are 2 days apart) and I thought I had better do a bonsai class so I could learn to care for it properly, know what to do when it needed to be repotted, roots trimmed etc.
Three years later, I now have a (small) bonsai collection of plants and books and am currently putting aside money for a good set of Japanese made bonsai tools.
Very addictive! But at least bonsai doesn’t take up much room.
Nice to hear you’re onto another book! I purchased your book The Cut Flower Patch and it arrived on Monday – I love it. I am now considering putting aside a spot in the garden for cut flowers as being a perfectionist, I am always loathe to cut stuff out of the borders or pots.
Mmm! I did think the whole Japanese gardening thing might be a bit addictive but what the heck I’m going to give it a go. Ooo! I’m so pleased you like the book. It is a little odd to think of it so far away with you. I do have to pinch myself – it still feels a little unreal. And yes, book 2 which I should really be working on now and not distracting myself with blogs and twitter. 😉 I should warn you though cut flowers are addictive too. I’m going to need a field soon. ;0
A most enjoyable, and informative, post. I think that it’s the ridiculously expensive items and so-called celebrities that put me off this show despite there being many good features. xx
I have enjoyed your posts about Chelsea WW. It is so interesting how one person notices one thing where another may see something completely different. To have the luxury of visiting on two days would be very indulgent, yet I agree, listening to some of the coverage by the BBC I wanted to go back and take another look. Thomas Heatherwick was the first article on tne Show which made me really interested; I know many people have missed Mr Titchmarsh this year but I think it was a welcome change to have other presenters and guests. Long may it continue RHS/BBC. D.
Oh thanks for topping up my Chelsea fix this year WW. Have relished all your posts. I’m not sure how practical the HOF Fabric Garden would be especially when it comes to rain 🙂 I love the look of the floral dress – saw something similar in the shape of a floral wedding dress at the Malvern Show a few years ago. Again far from practical but oh so pretty.
That gorilla – and the floral dresses – look amazing. Artisan garden based aroundca cut flower patch? Next year perhaps? You obviously like a challenge, what with book 2 and Japanese flower arranging and gardening to learn about 😉 love theSilene diocia ‘Firefly’, I am about to plant Jack Flash up in pots with a view to cutting them, but that is a better colour, for my tastes at least. I think all the high end shopping opportunities should be separated from the gardens, plenty of people only want to see one or the other, but there again I’ve only fever been to Malvern…