RHS Chelsea Flower Show Update
IT'S COLD!
Finally, a couple of nights of frost, which we do really need to make many of the Chelsea plants take a rest, but for the staff it means cold, miserable mornings, and relying on their enthusiasm, woolly hats, and hot drinks to keep them going throughout the day.
We have finally closed the book to accepting any more gardens for the 2022 Show. We have 9 clients and 9 gardens, not the most we have ever done, but more than enough to keep us busy and on our toes. We have unfortunately turned down at least a further six gardens because we know our limit, and at this level of growing, quality of care must not suffer.
As usual we are growing a huge number of different species of plant for 2022. It is a bit of a relief that none of our clients have decided to tackle flora from a far-flung corner of the planet this time, which does make our lives more challenging. However the plants that have been chosen are a mixture of old Chelsea favourites, plus many that we have never grown before, even with over 90 previous Show gardens under our belt.
There is often a criticism the Chelsea Show gardens have the same range of plants in them every year. This is a little unfair, as there is ultimately a finite number of plants that will flower in May, even if you add in some Chelsea magic from Matt, our Chelsea Wizard Nursery Manager. It's more about how these plants are used either individually, or how they are grouped together that makes them individually special. People often say ''well surely you can do anything?'', which is a great compliment, but some plants will just not be pushed. Verbena bonariensis, Coreopsis, Veronicastrum, to name but a few, will never flower in May, and believe us when we say we have tried!
There is a lot of speculation in the media about who is going to be at the 2022 Show. We of course know, and it's hard to keep a secret, but until the RHS makes their next announcement, our lips are sealed. Stay tuned for our next update!
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Posted by Liam Murphy
26th November 2021
