The Chelsea Flower Show 2011 (Part 4)

By NEILMUIR1
June 21, 2011

This year's Chelsea was a resounding success, both for the visitors and exhibitors alike; a truly captivating array of colour and wonderful horticultural skills, in what are unfavourable economic times. All I saw were smiles and looks of disbelief, as people met old plants they knew, and new plants they had never seen before. So join me on a last trip around Chelsea, before I can put my boots away for a short time.

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Jun 20, 2011 7:36 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Charleen
Alford, Florida (Zone 8a)
Walk in Peace / I'm Timber's Mom.
Miniature Gardening Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! I sent a postcard to Randy! Tip Photographer I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
Mules Garden Ideas: Level 2 Sempervivums Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: United States of America Beekeeper
I enjoyed the water features and the maple trees. Also the Bonsai. But my favorite was #3. You did a magnificent job as usual. Thank you, Dear Neil for taking us on your trip thu these magnificent gardens.
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Jun 20, 2011 7:45 PM CST
Name: Neil
London\Kent Border
Forum moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level Tip Photographer I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Region: United Kingdom
Ferns Native Plants and Wildflowers Seed Starter Cat Lover Enjoys or suffers cold winters The WITWIT Badge
Dear Charleen, no problem at all!
Hope Charley is well, he looks very nice in his hat!
Group hug
Neil.
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Jun 20, 2011 8:56 PM CST
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Oh no, I don't want the walk to be over Neil. What a joy it has been to stroll through the gardens with you as my guide.
Thank you so much for the joy you have brought me. Group hug

Lynn
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Jun 20, 2011 9:33 PM CST
Name: Linda Cartwright
Del Rio, Texas
Charter ATP Member Birds Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Texas Roses Ponds
Hummingbirder Garden Art Dog Lover Container Gardener Region: United States of America
Beautiful photo's Neil. Thank you so much for walking the gardens, and carrying you equipment with you! Hope you had a cold one one for us while you were there?
Will be anxiously waiting for the next article!
A Crafty Cubit
Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today. James Dean

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Jun 20, 2011 11:19 PM CST
Name: Neil
London\Kent Border
Forum moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level Tip Photographer I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Region: United Kingdom
Ferns Native Plants and Wildflowers Seed Starter Cat Lover Enjoys or suffers cold winters The WITWIT Badge
It is sad to say goodbye to Chelsea for another year, but there are bigger things and a more daunting task ahead!
I must thank you fine Ladies immensely for your support, to go through four Articles of Chelsea with me is not easy! You can see my dilemma in trying to please everyone, which is near impossible. I haven't had any complaints yet, but I am sure I have missed someone out!
Ladies that took nearly 1380 photos, a lot of wrestling and jostling for position to start with. Then the Articles started which was another lot of work!
Linda when I got back from Chelsea that night, my legs ached like hell, my shoulders and arms felt like they were going to fall off or already had done, and my head hurt!
So I went in the pub and had a few pints and a wee dram; next morning my legs and other bits would hardly move despite the liquid painkiller, pain I am afraid.
The thing I am proud of is that I did not write a single thing down, that would have been impossible with my camera gear. Everything was done by memory and memory alone!
There is hope for me yet!
I feel so proud that so many people have had some joy out of seeing some remarkable plants, sorry about my humour or lack of it on some of the gardens I did not like!
Group hug To all of you!
Neil.
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Jun 20, 2011 11:33 PM CST
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Neil that is remarkable that you did all of that from memory. I could not have done that.
I had to agree with you on some of the exhibits in this article. Not sure what they found to be attractive in blue died artificial turf. It probably represented water, but I did not find it pleasing.
The fountains are amazing.
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Jun 21, 2011 12:04 AM CST
Name: Neil
London\Kent Border
Forum moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level Tip Photographer I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Region: United Kingdom
Ferns Native Plants and Wildflowers Seed Starter Cat Lover Enjoys or suffers cold winters The WITWIT Badge
My dearest Lynn, it is not blue dried turf at all! It is in fact plastic chippings that are made from recycled old supermarket carrier bags.
The problem is, I used to work in the gardens of the Cemetery whilst an apprentice gardener. They used to use granite chippings dyed (excuse the pun) in different colours, to put over the top of graves to keep the weeds down and make the place look nice! That stuff looked exactly the same as what they used to use in the Cemetery but made of plastic!
However even in a light breeze it was blowing everywhere, and they had to keep getting it off the plants! Not a good idea, one thinks.
A lot of people had commented about the fact that it looked like grave chippings and the man who made the stuff said he did not know anybody who had worked in a Cemetery! So I told I did as a gardener, he was interested in selling the stuff for the use on graves. I informed him it would not work as it would not keep weeds down and would blow everywhere as Cemeteries are flat and bleak places. Plus if people wish to look after a loved ones grave they do not really want old plastic bags (recycled) on top, they like Granite! he was not amused, but I say what I think!
To me it was horrible and if he had used river washed gravel which looks natural, as it is natural then the garden may have looked nice.
Group hug
Neil.
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Jun 21, 2011 12:22 AM CST
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
I agree
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Jun 21, 2011 6:03 AM CST
Name: Vicki
North Carolina
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Forum moderator Region: United States of America
Purslane Garden Art Region: North Carolina Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
What a lovely article and beautiful photos Neil!

I'm overjoyed with the news that your elm trees will be coming back. Hurray!

Thank you again and again for sharing your beautiful and colorful world with us.

I'm so grateful and appreciative!

vic
NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
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Jun 21, 2011 6:16 AM CST
Name: Neil
London\Kent Border
Forum moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level Tip Photographer I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Region: United Kingdom
Ferns Native Plants and Wildflowers Seed Starter Cat Lover Enjoys or suffers cold winters The WITWIT Badge
Dear Vicki as I always say "anything for you." I admit to being worried about fountains and ornaments being on the Article, but that is part of Chelsea! Although I am not so sure about having a skeleton in the garden! It would be lovely to see the elms back, as the only ones we have are at Brighton. They claim the sea air which constantly blows off the English channel, keeps the scent given of by the trees away from the dreaded beetles!
So glad you enjoyed it. Wait till i get back from Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, which is the biggest in the world! That is assuming i get back. Rolling on the floor laughing
Regards.
Neil.
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Jun 21, 2011 10:03 AM CST
Name: Chris
Ripon, Wisconsin
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Master Level Seller of Garden Stuff I sent a postcard to Randy!
Sempervivums Sedums Region: Wisconsin Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Avid Green Pages Reviewer
Another lovely tour! Thank you for sharing this with us. I don't think anyone could complain about something missing - you've done a fantastic job!
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Jun 21, 2011 1:13 PM CST
Name: Neil
London\Kent Border
Forum moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level Tip Photographer I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Region: United Kingdom
Ferns Native Plants and Wildflowers Seed Starter Cat Lover Enjoys or suffers cold winters The WITWIT Badge
Dear Chris, looking forward to Hampton Court Palace Flower Show with some trepidation as it is the worlds biggest flower show! Extra rechargeable batteries for the camera, extra memory cards and a host of others stuff before July 7th! Awesome amount to carry, believe me! But hopefully it will be wort it in the end!
Thank you once again for being a loyal follower of my trips.
Regards.
Neil.
Avatar for louise
Jun 21, 2011 4:01 PM CST
Name: Louise
East Texas, zones 7b/8a
Garden Ideas: Level 1
Thanks so much for sharing all four of your garden tours. Seeing what can be done with
beautiful flowers and a creative imagination is very inspiring.

What was used for the center of the strawberry columns? I had never thought of growing
them 'up' instead of in the ground. It would be a space-saver for small gardens - and
would keep the berries clean also.
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Jun 21, 2011 4:32 PM CST
Name: Neil
London\Kent Border
Forum moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level Tip Photographer I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Region: United Kingdom
Ferns Native Plants and Wildflowers Seed Starter Cat Lover Enjoys or suffers cold winters The WITWIT Badge
Dear Louise, they are plastic tubs that you plant your strawberries in! They are only cheap and save using straw or matting to protect the fruit!
Great idea for anything. For you can grow herbs in them as well!
Thank you for your most kind comments!
Off to the world biggest flower show in July, so watch out for that!
Kindest Regards from a rain soaked England.
Neil.
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Jul 18, 2011 5:39 AM CST
Name: Allison
NJ (Zone 6a)
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Dog Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Region: New Jersey Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Level 1
so great... so many wonderful shots!!!
Avatar for KAMasud
Jan 15, 2013 8:22 AM CST
Name: Arif Masud
Alpha Centauri (Zone 9a)
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Container Gardener Native Plants and Wildflowers Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Enjoys or suffers hot summers Multi-Region Gardener
I tip my hat to you.
Regards,
Arif.
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