HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2012

This years Chelsea Flower Show was as usual full of magnificent gardens, projects and growers. One of the highlights were of course Diarmuid Gavins tower built with scaffolding and plants! With a lift in the middle, but to go all the way up you had to climb some ladders (which I did. The gardening in itself was not stunning, more about how to use small spaces in the city like little balcony's, terraces etc. This year all exhibitors were encouraged to recycle and Gavin chose to use mega big tins that was painted in pastel colours. Due to the recession there were fewer gardens and less money seemed to have been spent. The biggest trend this year was that the meadow is back again, against a backdrop of formal garden design, water features and dividing walls to create rooms within the garden.

This years wristband was in honour of the Queens jubilee. I started my day just after 9.00 am.

Alhambra in Spain inspired this garden, The Blue Water Garden, all about how to preserve and reuse water. I reminded me of my favourite Greek island, Myconos.

The Gold medal went to Homebase Teenage Cancer Trust Garden designed by TV-gardener Joe Swift. His first Chelsea Flower Garden. Rusty colours to give warmth to urban and suburban environments and save water.

Flower feature to honour the Queen who always visits the show on Monday afternoon.

LÓccitaines garden was as always inspired by Provence. This year a bit more cottage and stony than usual. Still a lot of lavender, of course!