tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19139369238144445772024-02-18T22:24:31.091-08:00Julian at Chelsea Flower ShowRead my posts from the greatest flower show on earthJulian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-55633881695365689422014-05-23T08:13:00.002-07:002014-05-23T08:13:56.463-07:00Laurent Perrier Garden wins Best in Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFO8vvQux-GdRxyb1DvFYCdV5K7zbJJP2DcbDH-SbR0HAoJIvOhU9y1lBJN33ZZEpSXKunVIya32OVvBWmb0K_CCLog6cSfrv9BD6wilnucH8LYI7cusNylgpVJJTJhlOeRGK2lOpTe0/s1600/GB_laurent_perrier_garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFO8vvQux-GdRxyb1DvFYCdV5K7zbJJP2DcbDH-SbR0HAoJIvOhU9y1lBJN33ZZEpSXKunVIya32OVvBWmb0K_CCLog6cSfrv9BD6wilnucH8LYI7cusNylgpVJJTJhlOeRGK2lOpTe0/s1600/GB_laurent_perrier_garden.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of the high points a this year's <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show" target="_blank">Chelsea Flower Show</a> was The Laurent Perrier Garden - not simply the sublime design. When I was photographing it at 6am in the morning, the sunlight came streaming through the trees and hit the yellow and while lupins transforming it from a cool mellow space into a veritible sea of floral fireworks.<br />
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Designed by Luciano <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_plcMainContent_plcMainContent_plcMainContent_plc_zoneAbout_lt_zoneAbout_RHSShowGardenAbout_hlDesignerLink" target="_blank">Giubbilei,and incorporating an intriguing natural sculpture of roughly hewn cedar by </a>Ursula von Rydingsvard, it truly hit the brief!<br />
<br />Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-20599187518408835442014-05-23T08:02:00.001-07:002014-05-23T08:02:35.544-07:00Cloudy Bay Sensory Garden - a treat for the senses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHTGix8m2xK5lVBplvKjbkPO6nO9A1YN2HjuQNFEIO_5iXaouxZz5F9tJI1eLEvog0J-MMDL9uk0GJZXX9Zd9WR8s4UFrcWmGaOZ_Nmft2g9Pe9q9ukTN50EV4NeMe0gQCYzi2cmrd6I/s1600/cloudy0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHTGix8m2xK5lVBplvKjbkPO6nO9A1YN2HjuQNFEIO_5iXaouxZz5F9tJI1eLEvog0J-MMDL9uk0GJZXX9Zd9WR8s4UFrcWmGaOZ_Nmft2g9Pe9q9ukTN50EV4NeMe0gQCYzi2cmrd6I/s320/cloudy0.jpg" /></a>Possibly my favourite garden at this year's <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show">Chelsea Flower Show</a> was the Cloudy Bay Sensory Garden.<br />
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by designers Andrew Wilson and Gavin McWilliam, the wooden structures
and wonderful wistful planting tell the story of the sponsor's wine
production. The colours and the textures all playing a part - from oak
panels used to age the wine to the cream and yellows (for the white
wine) and the crimsons and purples (for the red wine).<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9qhRoiq8nqML1Y99q1s8CdbdYrGbXbczH_ZwLg8gE95DVrr0C2qqOu0vJJJDlRgFR3ZqHet_6dqW_cAk8cf1tUvfWpbcydb2IAmx0dMmmtQAm8byFwaAOHBXdQdkN0GTADtfS6yLwOI/s1600/cloudy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9qhRoiq8nqML1Y99q1s8CdbdYrGbXbczH_ZwLg8gE95DVrr0C2qqOu0vJJJDlRgFR3ZqHet_6dqW_cAk8cf1tUvfWpbcydb2IAmx0dMmmtQAm8byFwaAOHBXdQdkN0GTADtfS6yLwOI/s320/cloudy2.jpg" /></a><br />
The design represents an urban garden - for me its a beautiful oasis to escape and relax form the bustle of life in town.<br />
Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-23138094876317013382014-05-20T08:15:00.000-07:002014-05-20T12:29:25.594-07:00<h2>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Hydrangea
macrophylla ‘Miss Saori’ wins Plant of the Year for 2014</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIM6bnK76CYvgoaQJXOsK5khTORzYJR9xkNmQ1LQoLGVlgK51Uj2E3jAcLmu38fEuqVv4niq1MB8Dyox_FEw7y0_ZQMD9gIZK3j1hUohpY7g_HjiEudtQbZaS-LG2GLsfx0wcohljytc/s1600/GB-plantoftheyear2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIM6bnK76CYvgoaQJXOsK5khTORzYJR9xkNmQ1LQoLGVlgK51Uj2E3jAcLmu38fEuqVv4niq1MB8Dyox_FEw7y0_ZQMD9gIZK3j1hUohpY7g_HjiEudtQbZaS-LG2GLsfx0wcohljytc/s1600/GB-plantoftheyear2014.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Hillier Landscapes celebrated its 150th anniversary by scooping a 69th consecutive Gold medal and the prestigious Plant of the Year award for 2014 with </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Hydrangea macrophylla</i> ‘Miss Saori’. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Bred in Kyoto by Japanese plantsman Ryoji Irie and named after his fiancé who has since become his wife, this hydrangea has deep rose
edges, which gradually fade into white centres, and unusual double-petalled
flowers. The resultant lacy appearance makes it
ideal as a cut flower. It w</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #535353; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">ill thrive in full sun or semi-shade
and is suitable for borders or containers. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">The burgundy foliage adds extra interest in
autumn.</span></div>
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<br />Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-87944130772033474072014-05-15T05:44:00.002-07:002014-05-15T06:00:17.732-07:00<h2>
Traditional beauty from David Austen Roses</h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jyslWeWGR6cHSg7MfyB7Zz8L5F_XQcL5BcxiuFDXMFtTYjiH_LVUo7xhtiH6MztFE7UYiXia4zEO33jyU1gfOEp4WnhWOKEDQ_eNVSj6Js_XmjH673w-zo5O0Lx5eGvwBhikEo47aLc/s1600/Rosa-Olivia-Rose-Austin-processed.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jyslWeWGR6cHSg7MfyB7Zz8L5F_XQcL5BcxiuFDXMFtTYjiH_LVUo7xhtiH6MztFE7UYiXia4zEO33jyU1gfOEp4WnhWOKEDQ_eNVSj6Js_XmjH673w-zo5O0Lx5eGvwBhikEo47aLc/s1600/Rosa-Olivia-Rose-Austin-processed.jpg" /></a> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Rosa</i> 'Olivia Rose Austin'</span></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b>(copyright David Austen Roses) </span></span><br />
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Amid the wacky and ostentatious in the main exhibitor marquee at the <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show" target="_blank">Chelsea Flower Show</a>, David Austen Roses' stand is always a picture of tradition and tranquility. And the show will feature the perennial launch of their 2014 rose introductions. <i> </i><br />
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<i>Rosa</i> 'Olivia Rose Austin' (Ausmixture) has the shape of an 'old rose', with its double shallow-cupped rosettes, and was named after David Austin Junior' s daughter. Fully hardy, shiny Leander-type foliage, vigorous growth, repeat-flowering and highly disease-resistant, makes this an excellent rose to grown in any garden situation. But the winner for me are the perfectly-formed 3.5in blooms, which are a delicate shade of
pink, and the strong fragrance which has tones of mixed fruits.<br />
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<i>Rosa '</i>The Lady of the Lake' (Ausherbert) is a repeat-flowering, semi-double rambler come climber. Don;t be fooled though, this rose is reported to grow to a height of 10 or 12ft, but possibly more. Attractive flowers of blush pink with golden stamens are produced on long, slender, flexible stems.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHweSnHLT7Sqd0DZBExEtwFIK0hyHDgtihPVnDOzdMzh47OzxkG0WTqOyKugJnrRV7PqXmusbXPNTLJvmUrYFMquos9oXMDlyCld1zExe338laVPAo5fDaNME43UYStK8U7HrIB0S0V8/s1600/Rosa-The-Lady-of-the-Lake-processed.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHweSnHLT7Sqd0DZBExEtwFIK0hyHDgtihPVnDOzdMzh47OzxkG0WTqOyKugJnrRV7PqXmusbXPNTLJvmUrYFMquos9oXMDlyCld1zExe338laVPAo5fDaNME43UYStK8U7HrIB0S0V8/s1600/Rosa-The-Lady-of-the-Lake-processed.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Rosa '</i>The Lady of the Lake' (Ausherbert) </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(copyright David Austen Roses)</span></span>Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-7582942244321586312014-05-13T09:23:00.003-07:002014-05-20T02:09:54.373-07:00<h2>
A 'Sailors' Valentine' from Barbados</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlABZ5d-bNM4qf6zh_ALTojG_yJnK-jNiFNn4HuWW26PvGyjG6bhAi7hdDHFD2Omab2puRMQnW14JwsE-CL9aFQrH-nVJtVwmotbKUGyCGCYQDYri9mMNGvOuoeKCzlpMrqpxBP8OENc/s1600/barb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlABZ5d-bNM4qf6zh_ALTojG_yJnK-jNiFNn4HuWW26PvGyjG6bhAi7hdDHFD2Omab2puRMQnW14JwsE-CL9aFQrH-nVJtVwmotbKUGyCGCYQDYri9mMNGvOuoeKCzlpMrqpxBP8OENc/s1600/barb2.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
One of my favourite perennial exhibits at Chelsea Flower Show is the wonderfully colourful Barbados Horticultural Society stand, which has been exhibiting at the show since 1988.<br />
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This year, they built an intriguing exhibit called “Sailors’ Valentine Garden". I visited the <a href="http://www.sailorsvalentineartsite.com/history" target="_blank">website</a> that explains what this garden is all about and, instead of the shells that normally make up a 'sailor's valentine', they used plan flowers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2dmbgHAui5dX9Mjd-jtGhKBjRrrWOM1GIjY6OGyZNDsRzqrVWnEMRDCcEWE3LoSni7AZgcv8irQORhaRAlZLYERK5vC0zGssKhU59XVUmG3ujrs0s9EwJJ7bf6dLrbWPF2LHhOjLhGw/s1600/barb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2dmbgHAui5dX9Mjd-jtGhKBjRrrWOM1GIjY6OGyZNDsRzqrVWnEMRDCcEWE3LoSni7AZgcv8irQORhaRAlZLYERK5vC0zGssKhU59XVUmG3ujrs0s9EwJJ7bf6dLrbWPF2LHhOjLhGw/s1600/barb1.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
Here you can see all four 'valentines' which<br />
were set in a tropical garden.<br />
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The society won a Gold medal for their display, which added to the haul of 15 Golds, 11 Silver-Gilts and 1 Silver medal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqp9qLKgOWowahyphenhyphenoy5b_qjMtxD917s-IIXnHZS0uoliNWgdJGIUI1emvI358opMCqwoNe3MrjutCY4h0KFW0zGXjgiw3u0TKz-ra2UGCeKQTERV4YSFTDz_wBGqHjtaeLjPZhh3zxEUU/s1600/barb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqp9qLKgOWowahyphenhyphenoy5b_qjMtxD917s-IIXnHZS0uoliNWgdJGIUI1emvI358opMCqwoNe3MrjutCY4h0KFW0zGXjgiw3u0TKz-ra2UGCeKQTERV4YSFTDz_wBGqHjtaeLjPZhh3zxEUU/s1600/barb4.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B6FEV1rnjSyjgQXgk6JYHJs7D_bno8Tmn6gEWM7jxwtWwIw_cB9_dOoySZOwn6Xr63DtkDtwm3e65rUUAwIcAX3GyZ2DQVQfANt6oYeU7G6fDrSdAQymLl5B3nNOi5E_attt0esa_1k/s1600/barb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B6FEV1rnjSyjgQXgk6JYHJs7D_bno8Tmn6gEWM7jxwtWwIw_cB9_dOoySZOwn6Xr63DtkDtwm3e65rUUAwIcAX3GyZ2DQVQfANt6oYeU7G6fDrSdAQymLl5B3nNOi5E_attt0esa_1k/s1600/barb3.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a></div>
Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-67310003254637364432014-04-30T08:39:00.001-07:002014-05-15T05:58:14.893-07:00<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large;">Hosta named after tennis star Andy Murray </span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyDSXvchUGB6myydkgJ64VnHAeI8dG533gnSiGnKAvDT8J_vTWM2OjnddC1iufwT2zsUlovCTG_QFnF91sRgQcDeP1KHRf5ibn1hT-rxKt5ihxMr548KyJsT13G8FBaMB_wmSeoHg1Uo/s1600/Andy_without_flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hosta 'Andy Murray' (photo Rob Solberg)" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyDSXvchUGB6myydkgJ64VnHAeI8dG533gnSiGnKAvDT8J_vTWM2OjnddC1iufwT2zsUlovCTG_QFnF91sRgQcDeP1KHRf5ibn1hT-rxKt5ihxMr548KyJsT13G8FBaMB_wmSeoHg1Uo/s320/Andy_without_flower.JPG" title="Hosta 'Andy Murray' (photo Rob Solberg)" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.brookfieldplants.com/" target="_blank">Brookfield Plants</a> is launching <i>Hosta</i> ‘Andy Murray’
at the Chelsea Flower Show in cooperation with the British Hosta &
Hemerocallis Society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raised by Bob
Solberg, the variegated leaves of this cultivar represent the colours of the
Scottish Saltire – woven between the blue leaf centre and the wide white margin
is a broken line of gold flashing, reminiscent of Andy’s Olympic Gold Medal.</span>Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-9322539833562142992014-04-22T01:47:00.001-07:002014-05-15T05:59:52.053-07:00<br />
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<b><i>Clematis </i>‘Maria Skłodowska Curie’ to be launched at the Chelsea Flower Show</b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_SDG_dO6d_6BhwyG6NBtAG_d58hVjr5Ly_2RTwKBnCSve_k_4OLRoNpXDL1RpB40Tx-6oGAUOlIT2nlweEPLaPFT7ueOcGPCdeM5iz5cNUi_o4Tz_HZcPm0WDjLuNlWQbFFTZJEykXQ/s1600/Maria-Sklodowska-Curie-SM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Clematis ‘Maria Skłodowska Curie’" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_SDG_dO6d_6BhwyG6NBtAG_d58hVjr5Ly_2RTwKBnCSve_k_4OLRoNpXDL1RpB40Tx-6oGAUOlIT2nlweEPLaPFT7ueOcGPCdeM5iz5cNUi_o4Tz_HZcPm0WDjLuNlWQbFFTZJEykXQ/s1600/Maria-Sklodowska-Curie-SM.png" height="331" title="Clematis ‘Maria Skłodowska Curie’" width="400" /></a></div>
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This beautiful clematis is named after Marie Curie, the Polish-born physicist and chemist, considered one of the most famous scientists of her time, and is available in the UK from <a href="http://www.thorncroftclematis.co.uk/">Thorncroft Clematis</a>, who will be launching it at next month's <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2014">Chelsea Flower Show</a>.<br />
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The plant was cultivated by Szczepan Marczyński, the well-known clematis breeder and propagator . The official naming ceremony took place at the opening of ‘Green is Life’ exhibition in Poland 2011, to mark the 100th Anniversary of Marie Curie’s second Nobel Prize.<br />
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This cultivar has double or semi-double, spherical or semi-spherical white flowers, which are 12-15cm across and bloom on old and new growth. During cool weather, the petals gain a greenish colouring, especially at the base.<br />
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Golden anthers on creamy filaments brighten up the flowers, which bloom abundantly in June and July. Plant reaches 2m in height. Prefers sunny but not overly hot, wind-sheltered and well-drained conditions.<br />
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Thorncroft Clematis will be donating £1.50 from the sale of each plant sold in 2014 to Marie Curie Cancer Care.<br />
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Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-79268310655732440792010-06-04T09:22:00.000-07:002010-06-04T09:23:06.618-07:00Almost the last post from Chelsea...The Horticultural Trade Association is reporting that Bank Holiday sales for some retailers were at an all-time high, with concern that good quality bedding plants are now in short supply.<br />
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So what's all this got to do with Chelsea Flower Show? Well it would appear that the blanket coverage it received from the BBC certainly fuelled the public's thirst for furniture, barbecues and plants, even if it wasn't the greatest telly.<br />
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Whether or not the weather played a part in the equation is subject to debate but a promotion around Chelsea Flower Show plants such as clematis and roses resulted in a 20 per cent increase in sales.Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-18216932149177350522010-06-03T07:34:00.000-07:002010-06-03T07:34:04.658-07:00Follow me at Hampton Court Palace Flower ShowSadly that's the last post from this Chelsea 2010 - a bit of a triumph for the organisers, show gardens and growers.<br />
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Follow my scribblings at <a href="http://hamptoncourtflowershow.blogspot.com/">Hampton Court Palace Flower Show</a>...Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-31287720000935052412010-05-28T09:29:00.000-07:002010-05-28T09:34:30.856-07:00Stately lupins<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuPFnVT6nDJMAd84GiKACbv6DwOQ9MN_gFm4hGrp29eM5aWtbvCwhUSUR9L9v4WEhhMdPLsJJpM7XNEhODTc95u4BMfWIYADYv-C38J5yLyHExPD51PlmOBmeOglufPRPx5aMwDhKYW8/s1600/lupins.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuPFnVT6nDJMAd84GiKACbv6DwOQ9MN_gFm4hGrp29eM5aWtbvCwhUSUR9L9v4WEhhMdPLsJJpM7XNEhODTc95u4BMfWIYADYv-C38J5yLyHExPD51PlmOBmeOglufPRPx5aMwDhKYW8/s400/lupins.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476359294894375650" /></a><br />Some flowers really do have architectural qualities. Take this amazing display of lupins on the Westcountry Nurseries stand - what an impact they would have in any border. But if you look carefully, they resemble a well-known New York landmark.<br /><br />Nice to think that maybe the humble lupin was the inspiration for the Empire State building.Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-18862235037170836912010-05-28T08:28:00.000-07:002010-05-28T08:32:56.105-07:00Chameleon paeony<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgScqrqFA09dvhySS_zMrhGZIfwzH236b5DQHqXloENKMMhuCwj59MOtEmmjqxsGsq3H4PASzIwyFfPagZfG1WC_0r37Zw-bSUtOkYBRMouFa9Bb6KaPozJLGURwzm4MvYTI390qhBeqI/s1600/paeony_coral_charm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgScqrqFA09dvhySS_zMrhGZIfwzH236b5DQHqXloENKMMhuCwj59MOtEmmjqxsGsq3H4PASzIwyFfPagZfG1WC_0r37Zw-bSUtOkYBRMouFa9Bb6KaPozJLGURwzm4MvYTI390qhBeqI/s400/paeony_coral_charm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476343154435158978" /></a><br />Believe it or not, this is the same paeony. "Coral Charm" from Kelways starts off flowering a deep rose pink and then tranforms through shades of pink, light apricot and yellowy cream.<br /><br />Clever things some flowers...Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-19332517960781743192010-05-28T08:10:00.000-07:002010-05-28T08:18:56.821-07:00Eye-catching irisI can't let Chelsea Flower Show go without selecting my favourite iris on display - and boy what a selection there was to choose from - orange, brown, fawn, purple, burgundy, etc<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1z0tP7tLH33nyvSZt1Cq1hv4gy4kXh1Vs3TuGa6_3NTDOVE8yh8QDaTo-401tgsCcDxAJj-J4kEv63UWqQZDqMiChvXb_YY9zGepOpWtxPBObcjvIIY2q5VthP6uLPzT9ns4uW3OO5c/s1600/iris_jane_phillips_350x250.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1z0tP7tLH33nyvSZt1Cq1hv4gy4kXh1Vs3TuGa6_3NTDOVE8yh8QDaTo-401tgsCcDxAJj-J4kEv63UWqQZDqMiChvXb_YY9zGepOpWtxPBObcjvIIY2q5VthP6uLPzT9ns4uW3OO5c/s400/iris_jane_phillips_350x250.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476340189571509858" /></a><br />Then I found it - tucked away on the <a href="http://www.hardy-plant.org.uk/">Hardy Plant Society</a> stand: Iris "Jane Phillips" - a beautiful understated pale blue that would lighten the dingiest corner of any garden.Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-27301951752153404132010-05-28T07:21:00.000-07:002010-05-28T08:02:35.014-07:00Local interestI always check out any local interest at Chelsea and it was good to see Capel Manor (in conjunction with John Woods Nurseries) doing one of the Generation gardens, which are tucked away in the Grand Pavilion.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70qLJe0gi_jGdAdOo3RRrw6QgaENcGKDAbwQsvOA68muXbYxwtGuIHFBM59nc2WXHWzqECtR-N9wqBKLP8bo7ws25tgtjR5d_ruGuvd87VfkXx_vMbtotNEzI3TO3u440BSd1B8xSwxU/s1600/GE10A_350x250.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476327562621597314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70qLJe0gi_jGdAdOo3RRrw6QgaENcGKDAbwQsvOA68muXbYxwtGuIHFBM59nc2WXHWzqECtR-N9wqBKLP8bo7ws25tgtjR5d_ruGuvd87VfkXx_vMbtotNEzI3TO3u440BSd1B8xSwxU/s400/GE10A_350x250.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Entitled "The Upwardly Mobile Garden", it has been designed for a professional couple in their first home and who have had a garden makeover to improve the value of the property.<br /><br />The focal point is the six foot plus <em>Cornus</em> Venus which has a lovely contrast of creamy blooms against dark green foilage. The rest of the planting is a mix of flowering shrubs such as roses, hydrangeas and heathers, low growing foilage plants such as hostas and Coprosma repens, an occasional ornamental grass and a generous smattering of flowers such as diascias and lavender.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_nvP99dff8lRpEcJYDm0zivd__20z0-Jyi94PLCwgRzETLL_kpKrbvW02dhpOmb6SN3VHQN28J0b5mdGM-FSe81cl7ZLKmVrG5NOH_eggQRHNIqLg9hQ7gAKPwwCTY17svadOPN9w84/s1600/GE10B_350x250.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476327797479419714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_nvP99dff8lRpEcJYDm0zivd__20z0-Jyi94PLCwgRzETLL_kpKrbvW02dhpOmb6SN3VHQN28J0b5mdGM-FSe81cl7ZLKmVrG5NOH_eggQRHNIqLg9hQ7gAKPwwCTY17svadOPN9w84/s400/GE10B_350x250.jpg" border="0" /></a>Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-85883232415625882012010-05-27T16:38:00.000-07:002010-05-27T17:38:19.311-07:00Great North Run tributeA really clever concept can be found on the Gatsehead Council stand in the Great Pavilion.<br /><br />The designers have reproduced that iconic image of the start of the Great North Run by erecting a scale model of Newcastle's Tyne Bridge. <br /><br />The clever bit is that they have planted a host of pansies to represent the runners.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGcotLRYT3c1ATBfwTBOtI_PQoqvnG_8kWdPlOxbKYffxqNVjA-KwaZk2c0hwlESRqLmGCy-oO9T1eRAqjPsrABn7ROsdKu_TdukJ7lKOIEoMiP2tn6DlPRc5MwUR0lWhZqc6aQjt_Lg/s1600/gateshead.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476109348241958770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGcotLRYT3c1ATBfwTBOtI_PQoqvnG_8kWdPlOxbKYffxqNVjA-KwaZk2c0hwlESRqLmGCy-oO9T1eRAqjPsrABn7ROsdKu_TdukJ7lKOIEoMiP2tn6DlPRc5MwUR0lWhZqc6aQjt_Lg/s400/gateshead.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Don't they just look convincing...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzn9WsrsZgFRBs6oOy8cMHvcZEVX6VKKb4AU_feb7pSX-eBWxr1kjzN21ZvRy-lfSXxjHjnD4zz5wi8eHbgKPUfyLMK-eiBztbSuBzCfX2wRrtoBhmoLHkklHw_e5O4UkoUkUbafYS3Y/s1600/bridge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzn9WsrsZgFRBs6oOy8cMHvcZEVX6VKKb4AU_feb7pSX-eBWxr1kjzN21ZvRy-lfSXxjHjnD4zz5wi8eHbgKPUfyLMK-eiBztbSuBzCfX2wRrtoBhmoLHkklHw_e5O4UkoUkUbafYS3Y/s400/bridge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476113721997285698" /></a>Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-60105014453291067112010-05-27T05:06:00.000-07:002010-05-27T05:19:31.941-07:00Top rose<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvTHAlxBvvY86th8o6NL792eg8Y_NW1Pp722lUPV53d5su6g_qDyc70SLLLFUJq-NpWaBy97ak-B633y38e2W5pPuOUEripa3IJ66oG2C_Li7a6pZleYagCaargcc7ZjPIwyxmBzHweE/s1600/Rosa_Notre_Dame_De_Calais_350x250.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475922907435944274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvTHAlxBvvY86th8o6NL792eg8Y_NW1Pp722lUPV53d5su6g_qDyc70SLLLFUJq-NpWaBy97ak-B633y38e2W5pPuOUEripa3IJ66oG2C_Li7a6pZleYagCaargcc7ZjPIwyxmBzHweE/s400/Rosa_Notre_Dame_De_Calais_350x250.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Choosing a favourite rose at Chelsea is like trying to narrow down your all-time favourite footballer - a tough ask because there are so many to choose from.<br /><br />For me, the one that caught my eye this year was a new introduction from Peter Beales Roses. Rosa 'Notre Dame De Calais' is a stunning creamy white variety that can be used as a small climbing rose or scrambler.<br /><br />The blooms are semi-double and scented. Watch the thorns though - it inherits these from parent 'Maigold' - so is ideal to use as an intruder deterrent in less secure parts of the garden.<br /><br />The rose is destined to adorn the grounds of its namesake, the recently refurbished Church Of The Notre Dame, in Calais.Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-68897391880305926952010-05-27T04:50:00.000-07:002010-05-27T05:06:14.359-07:00Small flower - big name!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJSKNyayiuBYxtw4aTiDi2O3AoFnsrSlzKydPm064EjLBsPgPkv7kzJDPniQXVJ1kerrJ3eA3R4xpWmxhfd0f2AFqk3w7o6Mz6VrVMo99KIjSnaz-pogdsLaPurpBFgp3PsX_hyK8Xik/s1600/Sinocalycalycanthus_raulstonii_Hartage_Wine_350x250.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJSKNyayiuBYxtw4aTiDi2O3AoFnsrSlzKydPm064EjLBsPgPkv7kzJDPniQXVJ1kerrJ3eA3R4xpWmxhfd0f2AFqk3w7o6Mz6VrVMo99KIjSnaz-pogdsLaPurpBFgp3PsX_hyK8Xik/s400/Sinocalycalycanthus_raulstonii_Hartage_Wine_350x250.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475919768270414386" /></a><br />Prize for the plant with the longest name at Chelsea must go to <em>sinocalycalycanthus</em> <em>raulstonii</em> 'Hartage Wine', a new introduction from Hillier Nurseries.<br /><br />It was developed by Richard Hartage, head gardener at the JC Raulston Arboretum in North California by crossing <em>sinocalycanthus chinensis</em> and <em>calycanthus floridus</em>.<br /><br />The deciduous shrub has glossy green foilage and lightly-scented, semi-double burgundy blooms that resemble certain varieties of clematis. It flowers from May to September and the leaves turn butter-yellow in the autumn.<br /><br />Nice one Hilliers...Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-45540018941863732592010-05-26T16:53:00.000-07:002010-05-27T03:33:54.489-07:00Vote now!<a href="http://apps.rhs.org.uk/peopleschoice/">Place your vote</a> in the Chelsea Flower Show <a href="http://apps.rhs.org.uk/peopleschoice/">People's Choice</a> Award, where you the viewing public get the chance to say which show garden you thought was top at this year's show.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqao4hQovqxDY_ProaVVDvqXIgKe3JvG2woIVIDRc_zMlSmTs8HlPS3gUMO07HXOtI5-nBHesR8BwjljErkn7cryRJqYbZUMMfrQU0JqD4LukZDpaZAUXwAgoj8DBoOYYtwtU4BF3Re6k/s1600/mandg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475735420325316242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqao4hQovqxDY_ProaVVDvqXIgKe3JvG2woIVIDRc_zMlSmTs8HlPS3gUMO07HXOtI5-nBHesR8BwjljErkn7cryRJqYbZUMMfrQU0JqD4LukZDpaZAUXwAgoj8DBoOYYtwtU4BF3Re6k/s400/mandg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My vote will be for the Roger Platts designed M&G Garden - a picturesque, traditionally British affair that has clever planting which enables the garden to look interesting in all light and weather.<br /><br />The wooden structures and the circular pool provide a perfect backdrop for the flowers, shrubs and hedging.<br /><br />Two of my colleagues have called me a "traditionalist" and a "plant hippie". That's not so - in the Small Garden category, my vote goes to A Joy forever, a contemporary sunken garden which has been designed for entertaining.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteshtaMWOh-nozzvvI_A9KWsRAZanesdf8IlAL09ugcbu2qOJAUqdoKuEClSApj6huHcW1YAjIu6Y97qKF9k_ECXXGarkgM0w3RnGkcp3Z_NJLIVke7Pwngs6bcm7ibRm6OlWkI30CH0/s1600/sunken.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475735546461428354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteshtaMWOh-nozzvvI_A9KWsRAZanesdf8IlAL09ugcbu2qOJAUqdoKuEClSApj6huHcW1YAjIu6Y97qKF9k_ECXXGarkgM0w3RnGkcp3Z_NJLIVke7Pwngs6bcm7ibRm6OlWkI30CH0/s400/sunken.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Let's face it - we would all like either of these in our back gardens!Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-5406414880421616732010-05-26T16:20:00.000-07:002010-05-26T16:41:18.236-07:00Right heat for ChelseaWeather is always a key ingredient at Chelsea, especially after the Winter/Spring that we have experienced.<br /><br />Exhibitors were expecting the worst when the record temperatures hit us at the start of the week - nets were being draped over gardens to protect the plants from the fierce sun.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7A97yqzlP9J_KYp7JkpMkZ3CLS9x50G4VV0Tly4qm1-bWHv7b6_pGRB0IjcrTObB8jPk2KoqJ9VXeuW1BH3psKMH3L2Q47Cy2wkg7wCb5pEOEmReG0luKHOZjY-0NaX-XmzbmR-ByJE/s1600/heat1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475724782112589170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7A97yqzlP9J_KYp7JkpMkZ3CLS9x50G4VV0Tly4qm1-bWHv7b6_pGRB0IjcrTObB8jPk2KoqJ9VXeuW1BH3psKMH3L2Q47Cy2wkg7wCb5pEOEmReG0luKHOZjY-0NaX-XmzbmR-ByJE/s400/heat1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For some garden designers, it all got a bit much and Mark Gregory, in particular, sought sanctuary in his water feature - a handy-sized plunge pool in the Children's Society Garden.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kf6Wa3v7vKq8BUn9R0KCfcYXbtEr8EkG42GcINKPrVhEO4lrPLS2M2i5_BhMfSCuXKMSdKfZe0ahAc9IhJA1phnngehZtt0v0Tus-o-LsNMkZ4t7UPETe8aRXvJAN8Lonz4eCclURjA/s1600/heat2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475725489753825682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kf6Wa3v7vKq8BUn9R0KCfcYXbtEr8EkG42GcINKPrVhEO4lrPLS2M2i5_BhMfSCuXKMSdKfZe0ahAc9IhJA1phnngehZtt0v0Tus-o-LsNMkZ4t7UPETe8aRXvJAN8Lonz4eCclURjA/s400/heat2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thankfully, things have cooled down a bit and the gardens and exhibits look an absolute picture with the majority of the flowers none the worse for wear.<br /><br />Saves everyone's modesty...Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-67818007649488442882010-05-26T15:28:00.000-07:002010-05-26T16:18:16.505-07:00Best show garden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYdgKDbrpqhcNOIkraOUnBBKeHPkHosKXU1n78OzVrmkQn5Iytc3ASPtWPbZ8-IQuA_-_6CCtMMWRHENhr3s3cp7LjlusTo9jiqXvZQBREs9JxuajK95Ht-cYpQGIaVP5p_3n8rOtSFs/s1600/dt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYdgKDbrpqhcNOIkraOUnBBKeHPkHosKXU1n78OzVrmkQn5Iytc3ASPtWPbZ8-IQuA_-_6CCtMMWRHENhr3s3cp7LjlusTo9jiqXvZQBREs9JxuajK95Ht-cYpQGIaVP5p_3n8rOtSFs/s400/dt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475722032333631426" /></a><br />Winner of the Best Garden In Show for the second year in a row was The Daily Telegraph Garden, designed by Andy Sturgeon.<br /><br />His contemporary gravel garden echoes the Fynbos of the southern Cape, the Maquis shrub land of the Mediterranean, the Chaparral of California and Mexico, and the Matorral of central Chile, with its exotic planting, defined spaces, open clearings of sparsely planted gravel and rear courtyard, which houses a shady cork oak.<br /><br />Rectangles of rusted iron provide a themed structure throughout the garden. His planting includes purple salvia, brown irises, yellow verbascum and sun-tolerant architectural grasses.Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-686139370788028042010-05-26T14:32:00.000-07:002010-05-26T15:23:59.955-07:00Tree of knowledge<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyYbqFJTLGFGi_i33M4vLlzUoOX_LltifFb3vE3vLeN5oRT5tmO3B7hAZ6fSq-1lIHf6o95cPDhtD1XWpoAUh-FrJD9-MeXu-_k1ewjyRUiHZs-HtuwamRkWVu1eD2Zuk41764oa8ju4/s1600/tree.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475696038002208674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 350px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyYbqFJTLGFGi_i33M4vLlzUoOX_LltifFb3vE3vLeN5oRT5tmO3B7hAZ6fSq-1lIHf6o95cPDhtD1XWpoAUh-FrJD9-MeXu-_k1ewjyRUiHZs-HtuwamRkWVu1eD2Zuk41764oa8ju4/s400/tree.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />One of the more unusual exhibits is the RHS Tree Of Knowledge which is in the Continuous Learning section in the Grand Pavilion.<br /><br />The 5-metre tall tree was designed by Tom Hare and is woven in willow. It was created to mark the 2010 United Nations' International Year of Biodiversity.<br /><br />With the countryside and open spaces in urban areas under increasing pressure from planners and developers, a wider understanding of the importance of maintaining biodiversity will help reduce the impact of decreasing green space in gardens. An interactive RHS display allows visitors to learn more about biodiversity.<br /><br />Among the other exhibits in this section:<br /><li>The Capel Manor stand demonstrates how greening urban areas can reduce crime rates.</li><li>The Centrepoint garden introduces the production of 'Superfoods' - plants that can be grown in an urban environment with medical, healing and very high nutritional value.</li><li>Indoor Garden Design has created a 'Living Office', which demonstrates the importance of indoor plants in an office environment.</li><li>The UK Climate Impacts Programme exhibit shows how plants can be used to help create a better environment within our changing climate.</li>Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-3131801391683995302010-05-26T14:04:00.000-07:002010-05-26T14:30:45.511-07:00Thai takeaway<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrECLxJ_BEbQZjjipiyJ2VXD_WQgYq12zQGtndLgdYPwYxPHkLx3SbgPMLCXlG53Vj7NOZ7w0c9iCa8ZLXez4o6RZ3OY9JDKAwmEN97f0_snZoRQKKB7TIsRX48vNihdNOvpTasthMc7c/s1600/takeaway.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrECLxJ_BEbQZjjipiyJ2VXD_WQgYq12zQGtndLgdYPwYxPHkLx3SbgPMLCXlG53Vj7NOZ7w0c9iCa8ZLXez4o6RZ3OY9JDKAwmEN97f0_snZoRQKKB7TIsRX48vNihdNOvpTasthMc7c/s400/takeaway.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475692423078702098" /></a><br />Seems there was just time for a takeaway on the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden exhibit, which features elements of a Thai temple amid bamboo, orchids and other indigenous species.<br /><br />Still, the team deserved a break as they have had to contend with problems shipping plants, etc, caused by the political troubles in Thailand - and the Icelandic ash cloud.Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-26939617724570040932010-05-26T08:54:00.000-07:002010-05-26T09:05:08.480-07:00Rain forest in sunny SW10<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJx4y0VUOdruXbxjQsIIkvjxPXL7UDwev7x7vBD1074lfB4SktuLdmJnHvnnIiE-Pc-98dqlQ7Z_Bz6h_HvR2VPRvafG5_cY-_OhZzMaxxGALI59kxQvb_UJR6-UcEK_PmK1CmJFpGGc/s1600/cameroon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJx4y0VUOdruXbxjQsIIkvjxPXL7UDwev7x7vBD1074lfB4SktuLdmJnHvnnIiE-Pc-98dqlQ7Z_Bz6h_HvR2VPRvafG5_cY-_OhZzMaxxGALI59kxQvb_UJR6-UcEK_PmK1CmJFpGGc/s400/cameroon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475610317387506082" /></a><br />How do you bring the Cameroonian rain forest to Chelsea?<br /><br />Well that's the conundrum that my pal Jane Owen and her partner in crime, Anne Marie Powell, spent eight months planning and deliberating. Sponsored by Green & Black's, they wanted to raise awareness of the threat to the rain forest in Cameroon and to the local population there.<br /><br />The result was a most unusual courtyard garden complete with indigenous plants such as Ficus lyrata (the fiddle leaved fig tree) and cultivated banana palms. The AK47 was a nice touch on the side of the stand. All that hard work earned the girls a Gold medal.<br /><br />In the picture, Cameroonian women build the traditional Mongulu leaf house which forms the centrepiece to the garden.Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-4896452965955419602010-05-26T04:53:00.000-07:002010-05-26T05:00:35.592-07:00A funny thing happened on the way home...Funny story of the week so far involved a former colleague of mine, Peter Seabrook.<br /><br />The Sun's long-time gardening correspondent had a photographer here taking picture of Chelsea. When it was time to pack up last night, Peter was not to be found so the snapper left the pictures by his car.<br /><br />Peter drove all the way home to Chelmsford unaware of this. At some point later, his wife noticed something on his windscreen and asked him if he had been given a parking ticket.<br /><br />Upon inspection, Peter found the missing picture CDs still lodged under his windscreen wipers.<br /><br />Lucky escape...Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-13860416883716103722010-05-25T16:31:00.000-07:002010-05-25T16:40:03.286-07:00Borneo Bill<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ94ZLky4Ry8vfTGYpVDosEcciQgSIHsZLkhM3PJkm0TBiRauHQt8BzQrwQ2c46ryh4Wxq5njmg-GtvlDMa-aMukY2A2DdbSaqIKXtQv5kzxiEsAbjwTgbPRVENZ4qG76gDsalcikXd20/s1600/bill_bailey_350x250.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ94ZLky4Ry8vfTGYpVDosEcciQgSIHsZLkhM3PJkm0TBiRauHQt8BzQrwQ2c46ryh4Wxq5njmg-GtvlDMa-aMukY2A2DdbSaqIKXtQv5kzxiEsAbjwTgbPRVENZ4qG76gDsalcikXd20/s400/bill_bailey_350x250.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475356579541070578" /></a><br />One of my favourite pictures from the photocalls I attended at this year's Chelsea Flower Show was the one with Bill Bailey.<br /><br />Here we see the 'part troll' holding a new breed of nepenthes from Borneo Exotics, named after him. Let's be honest, how would you feel immortalised by a... scrotum-like object - there I said it!<br /><br />Not only that, but in the press melee that ensued, poor old Bill got his shorts well and truly soaked after being urged to sit on the wet moss that makes up much of the stand.<br /><br />You're a trouper, sir!Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1913936923814444577.post-16210873986142331872010-05-25T06:31:00.000-07:002010-05-25T07:00:59.511-07:00Streptocarpus wins top award<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8iiFc3tYCQ5KPIyybqLetLCXnebE_Y6U5hVROBkiEH3PkdyVBnlZR9fEWoSXYOJexINtrYYWVXUpxj-MLu-YolS8HFENszco3SvsPC5hgzKyxG6xHZEQH3592oH6BxHorvOufnYdW9c/s1600/streptocarpus_harlequin_blue_350x250.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8iiFc3tYCQ5KPIyybqLetLCXnebE_Y6U5hVROBkiEH3PkdyVBnlZR9fEWoSXYOJexINtrYYWVXUpxj-MLu-YolS8HFENszco3SvsPC5hgzKyxG6xHZEQH3592oH6BxHorvOufnYdW9c/s400/streptocarpus_harlequin_blue_350x250.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475201132682833874" /></a><br />Well done to Lynne Dibley, whose unusual dolly mixture shaded Streptocarpus ‘Harlequin Blue’ was named as the 2010 Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Plant Of The Year.<br /><br />I tipped this plant to top the voting at the inaugural Plantsman Conference - and it polled a massive 29 votes from specialist growers.<br /><br />Streptocarpus are one of those plants that gardeners either love or hate but they are surprisingly easy to grow and maintain. This one is bound to encourage converts!Julian Desboroughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01888042597995178603noreply@blogger.com0