The Chelsea Flower Show 2011 (Part 3)

Chelsea is always a mixed affair. Some people go for the social event, others to see old friends, many to see much loved plants or to get a plant they want. I do not fall into any category, as I love all plants. However there are some I will make a special effort to see, and Primroses are one of them. These wonderful plants that withstand our winters and bring us so much joy in the spring and early summer, who, I ask, could not like them?

Some of these pictures were taken with a wide angle lens. Please enlarge them to see them full size. 

Candelabara Primroses anyone?

This stand was a masterpiece; even the back of it was lovely!

From Primroses to the Caribbean!

I have always been fascinated with insectivorous/carnivorous plants, and this year Chelsea went wild with these from the Phillippines.

I would not like to fall in that lot! Strangely enough the drug from the rim of Nepenthes has since time immemorial been used in human childbirth, and still is used all over the world, even today!

Now to American Pitcher plants, and Nepenthes from other places.

A South African Drosera (sundew) and the stand was a Chelsea Gold Medal winner!

Chelsea seemed to have gone Nepenthes crazy!

A complete jungle of Nepenthes, they were everywhere.

Two North American pitcher plants, and one is in flower.

The Cobra Lily or Darlingtonia californica, followed by a Heliamphora hybrid from South America.

Normally at Chelsea we are treated to one or two of the Kentucky Lady's Slipper Orchids, Cypripedium kentuckiense. However this year there seemed to be carpets of this stunning plant everywhere. What an absolute treat.

Spoilt for choice!

Or I thought I was, till I saw this Queens Lady's Slipper Orchid or Cypripedium reginae!

Then there was the surprise of this Cypripedium reginae "White Form'.

This stunned me and got me trampled on by people. The tiny Californian Lady's Slipper Orchid or Cypripedium californicum was a bit troublesome to get a picture of and as I lay down people stepped on me to get through. What a sight to see one, though.

Now for some Cymbidiums.

A Wisonara 'Nichirei Tiger' and an Odontioda 'Saint Clement'.

A little bit of McBean's Orchids stand, a Chelsea favourite.

The Orchid Society Of Great Britain.

This stand is rather large. A lovely orchid from Peru is on the left.

A mass of colour at the top, it was lovely to see.

For orchid fans you really have to be here to see all of it!

There were secret bits as well.

There was what seemed to be an open Palace of Orchids, so I had to have a look.

They were everywhere.

An amazing display.

A bit closer!

Then the surprise of this championing Britain food and flowers stand. This is to support British produce and was sponsored by Waitrose, which is a very good supermarket.

I have run out of space again! So it will be another article I am afraid, as there is a lot more to see.  I'll put my Boots away for the moment and contemplate, do I want eating grapes or wine grapes to climb up these columns below, wine grapes I think!

See you hopefully in Part 4!

Regards.

Neil. 

Part 1.

Part 2.

Part 4.

R.H.S.

TFL.

For Nancy.