Chelsea

[mikey4444]

I have been enjoying the coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show this week enormously....I would love to have attended. I go once in 1989 and it was wonderful.

[woofgang]

I went once around ’68 when I was aged about 14. Something was happening at school (can’t remember what) and we all got a day off sprung on us. I live quite near the show, so I scraped together the ten bob which was what entry cost and took myself off. It was FABULOUS...I know it sounds an odd thing to say about such a glamorous event but, then at least, once through the door, everybody was just a gardener no matter how old, young rich, poor, gender race....nothing mattered except the exhibits. I bet its changed a lot since then....

[Prudie]

i'd also like to go but was watching last night and have to say, as I've thought in previous years, the general commentary on the gardens and their hidden meanings i find total carp, similar to the nonsense spouted about modern art.

[woofgang]

I agree...when you are there though you can ignore all that...I like the fact that they have loads of different presenters and visitors so they all have different views....really enjoyed Kate Adie (who agrees with you Prudie) and Grayson Perry. I agree that the “symbolism” and “hidden meanings” can get a bit pretentious, but when I do stuff in my garden its because I have had an idea and want to interpret it as I can. One corner of my garden is now an arboretum but its all in tubs....I got the idea when i was looking at some TV program or other about the great estates and full sized arboretums. It was interesting working through how I could make it decorative to look at, but also to plan the view from the arboretum back into the garden....and no I haven’t got loads of room or loads of money.

[HansUrbancka]

It must be about 40 years ago that I visited the show and concluded that it is interesting but has nothing to offer if one is looking for a permanent garden. All the trees and shrubs are in sunken pots and flowers are replanted, daily.

Nevertheless, I still watch it on TV but with an element of criticism.

Hans.

[woofgang]

I agree that you won’t get the perfection Hans, but I think that ideas and inspiration can be taken from the designs. I sit and watch the TV and check out the online coverage with a notebook in my hand to write down the names of plants I like the look of.

[Prudie]

I don't get much from the formal gardens - which seem to be going through a trend of being rather futuristic last few years with mainly all greens and a lot of water, glass and steel but the actual plant displays are really interesting with new and old varieties that I think ooh I'd like one of those.

[woofgang]

me too. just been internet shopping......

[woofgang]

oh and I love the Yorkshire Garden, I thought it was better than the winner.

[woofgang]

I thought the trophies looked like chap melamine plates though...

[askyourgran]

I've really enjoyed watching this years show. I would like to have gone to see it. The nearest I've been is the Flower show at Southport, which is pretty good I still have two garden gnomes I bought from there about 20 years ago.

[jno]

I went a couple of times about 10 years ago and greatly enjoyed it, though I don't know much about the subject. But the Hampton Court show is less crowded and just as entertaining.

[Caribeing]

Just love seeing the plants and flowers in all their glory like to see things we can all identify with, a lot of elaboration which is mainly for show miss Alan Titchmarsh.

[Caran]

We went last year because daughter bought us tickets for a present.
Didn't really enjoy it. I can't walk like I used to, in too much pain. Also we have lost interest in gardening now. We only have a terrace at the back with pots and the front is two narrow borders on either side of the drive.

[woofgang]

Alex Polizzi was on....very interesting, she said several things about the show and how crowded it was.....had they outgrown the site now? Were the small specialist exhibitors getting value for the money it cost them? I was also quite shocked at some of the elementary errors made in one of the small gardens, the one called a “pocket park” The designer had paved right up to the tree trunks and the park was meant to be a public open space but the paths weren’t wide enough for a push chair or a wheelchair...I mean that’s basic stuff!