Last Day At Chelsea

I was a regular exhibitor at the Chelsea Flower Show for many years and I never lost the thrill and excitement when the bell rings on the last day. People gather in anticipation as gardens are ripped apart, old ladies struggle with a 2m high delphinium under each arm. It’s like a feeding frenzy when you are overcome with an insatiable appetite for more plants than you can reasonably carry.

Working at the show, I was obliged to take my staff along with more small forest down the pub and out for a meal. Many years, I took my prize specimens home on the tube to much amusement of my fellow travelers. One year, I bought an orange tree with very ripe fruit and decided to take a taxi. The driver was forced to do an emergency stop, causing all the fruit to splat against the window behind him.

How many of my Chelsea plants actually thrived? To be honest, not that many. Being forced, put on display for week and taken on a perilous journey isn’t the best treatment for plants. But I like to think they had fun.

Even though the Chelsea Flower Show has improved for visitors in recent years with the new marquee and the extended the opening to Saturday, 5pm on Friday in the last week of May still holds a special place in my memory.

Written By Alistair Ayres

(The wonderful picture is borrowed by the little green space ladybird because it is so beautiful. If the owner would like credit or removal from this site, please contact us at customerservice@littlegreenspace.com and we will remove it)

Waves of Spring Bulbs

You can really pack flowers into a container if you choose bulbs that flower from Febuary through to May. This can be achieved by planting different bulbs at different depths. My suggestion is crocuses followed by small early daffs – ‘Febuary gold’, then grape hyacinths & snakeshead fritillarys with tulips and Turkscap lillies (Martagon) for later in the season.

In october, get a decent sized pot, and some John Innes No 2 potting compost. Fill the pot to about 7 inches below the rim. Plant your tulips and turkscap lillies, then cover them with soil and gently firm. Next layer is your daffodils, filling again with soil. Lastly, in go your crocuses, grape hyacinths & snakeshead fritillarys, adding a final 2 inches of soil to about an inch below the rim. If they’re to live in the sun, only the tulips will need removing. The rest should come back next spring.

Written By Tom O'Leary

A Gardening Medical Chest

The Chelsea Physic Garden, founded in 1673 by the Society of Apothecaries, is still one of London’s best-kept secrets but it is a must for anyone seriously interested in the healing power of plants. The Garden of World Medicine is truly fascinating with beds containing healing plants used by different ethnic groups. A feature that I am very keen to see is the new Pharmaceutical Garden.

With slightly quirky opening times (12-5pm on Wednesday to Friday and 12-6pm on Sundays), it pays to plan your visit. You’ll find the entrance tucked away in Swan Walk just on the left past the National Army Museum in Royal Hospital Road (nearest tube Sloane Square). The cafÈ is particularly good and you’ll find interesting plants on sale.

Written By Alistair Ayres

(The Little Green Space Ladybird often visits the Chelsea Physic Garden - a truly magnificent day out. If the owner of this picture would like credit, please let us know. We would also be happy to take it down if required,)