Many moons ago, a children’s television programme (Play School) featured different shaped windows that took the young viewers on a journey somewhere exciting. My gardenwatching window has taken my daughter and I on a few journeys since a school project with ID’s to our visiting birds.
Over the years, Flower Shows have taken gardeners on journeys through quite different windows with imaginative show gardens, new planting styles, colour themes and trends that we take back to our gardens. I love the anticipation of an upcoming Garden Show.
Thousands of visitors attend, or sit at home watching through their television window, The RHS Chelsea Flower Show which is expected to inspire us all and take us through the journeys that the garden designers have chosen. I wonder where we will all be going next week.
The images above are from The RHS Tatton Park Flower Show back in July 2003. From memory, this display was about framing rather than windows but it caught my eye at that time. I thought I’d use some artistic licence here to link to windows with flowers that are also seen during Chelsea week…
”Chelsea’s world class alternative floral art show is back with a bloom for 2012! In its 7th year, Chelsea in Bloom will celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and all things British with stunning fresh flower displays lining the streets of the royal borough. Chelsea retailers will again compete to create the most imaginative and creative display formed with fresh flowers and plants.
Chelsea comes alive for 6 days (21st – 26th of May) with an array of colour, fun and excitement attracting visitors from across the globe. Chelsea in Bloom is a gateway to the Flower Show and the ideal way to enjoy Sloane Square, Sloane Street, and Duke of York Square and the surrounding environs while strolling past the show-stopping floral installations and enjoying the world class shops and restaurants.”
The images above are not mine but I have been permitted to use them. They show the fun and diversity of window the Chelsea window displays that have been seen in previous years. This looks like a fun wander for families.
”Chelsea in Bloom takes place from 21st – 26th May and there is a whole host of entertainment, such as a pop up maze in Sloane Square, a Poliform Maxi Bug installation outside the Saatchi Gallery and even free Rickshaw tours of the area.
Official RHS Judges will put the retailers through their paces and judge the participants on creativity, flair, use of fresh flowers as well as their take on the traditional theme. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite People’s Choice Award for the most popular and eye-catching display by visiting Chelsea in Bloom.
For the duration of the week, Sloane Square will be transformed into a stunning custom-made Maze for visitors to explore and enjoy. After this they can head to the neighbouring pop-up bar, to pick up a luxury picnic box. Visitors can also leave their own personal stamp on the Poliform Maxi Bug installation outside the Saatchi Gallery in Duke of York Square, by drawing their own floral tribute on the over-sized furniture installation.”
There are tours with guides en route so visitors don’t miss anything. Until a few years ago (when I began getting press releases on this event) I never knew Chelsea Flower Show fever was on the streets of London too for locals and tourists to enjoy.
Whatever, you are doing this weekend I hope you enjoy it too. To everyone building gardens and displays for the Chelsea Flower Show and to everyone visiting the 1st RSPB Scottish Birdfair at the weekend – fingers crossed for some nice weather 🙂
This post was written by Shirley for shirls gardenwatch in May 2012.
The weather forecast for next week says we might have some fine weather, so I'll be out in the garden if they're right.
I'll be setting my DVR to record all the Chelsea programmes though. Then I can watch them all at my leisure when there is nothing else on the TV, which is most nights these days.
Hope you enjoy the bird fair.
I am an exhibitor at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show this year doing a back to back so I most certainly will watching Chelsea also.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Malvern would be my show of choice to visit. I find Chelsea fascinating but also a bit alien at the same time. The cost of the show gardens and the plants flowering out of season is a bit of a turn off.
PS Are you going to Gardening Scotland this year?
I LOVE those images from the 2003 RHS Tatton Park Flower Show! Amazing how it can still look fairly fresh, almost a decade later. 🙂
Hello everyone, hope you are all enjoying the sunshine 🙂
Crystal, I’m guessing (like me) you have been busy in your garden just now. What glorious weather isn’t it? Yes, I’ve been recording Chelsea too – been watching when I can also. Thanks, the weather wasn’t so kind for the Birdfair but we did enjoy it 🙂
Gareth, Good luck at Tatton. I really should return there one day. We were on holiday at the time of our visit.
Janet, yes, I hear you on the plants flowering out of season and the costs of show gardens. However, on the other side it is a spectacle of flowers and a celebration of gardens so I can forgive the odd blue string fence 😉 Many bloggers meet up at Malvern so that would attract me there. I’d return to Tatton but its Hampton Court that I fancy visiting – one fine day. Being truthful about GS, I didn’t find it that inspiring last year and came away disappointed. Considered having a year off – daughter wasn’t with me last year and is making noises about going this year so probably will take a wander along. Are you going yourselves?
Kim, absolutely! I love the plantings in the first image and that zing of red (a colour I don’t like in the garden or anywhere else truth be told) adds a magnificent burst of energy 🙂