Truth in Advertising

In June, I posted a picture of a new David Austin rose, Sir John Betjamin. I saw the almost-real thing at Hampton Court this year and took this photo. I say almost-real because it was in the display and not in my own garden. But I can't wait to try it. Look at all the shades of crimson, pink, cerise, and cherry on those little curvy scallop petals.

Herons at Home

While I was away at Chelsea, the heron colony at the end of the road was apparently scared off by a rogue eagle the local media dubbed 'Birdzilla'. There are fears that the colony might be gone for good.

Funny enough, I was having lunch with the folks at Butchart Gardens, who had also been at Chelsea for the first time. One of them was saying that the herons had taken up residence in her back garden. I do hope they aren't gone for good from the park!

A little more Chelsea. Here's a lovely seating area from one of my favorite show gardens, the Westland Garden, designed by Diarmuid Gavin. It won a silver.


Diarmuid Gavin's Westland Garden at Chelsea, 2007.

Lovely Lavenders @ Chelsea

Plant breeders, florists, and nurseries exhibit in the Great Pavilion. This is the place to see new plants and often some stunning displays and plant combinations.


I saw some spectacular lavenders. Apparently there's a lot of breeding happening. Are these gorgeous??

Nice Digs @ Chelsea

For those who haven't been to the show, it's been held since 1913 in the grounds of the Chelsea Royal Hospital, which provides a "fitting home and community for ageing and infirm veteran soliders to whom the nation owes a debt of gratitute". When built, the so-called Long Wards, which house the Chelsea pensioners, were lined with individual rooms that measured just 6 feet square. They were designed by Sir Christopher Wren, who was a little more generous when it came to his own bedroom.


The show is usually sold out and ticket 'touts' (scalpers) offer tickets just outside Sloane Square. Tickets are also on sale on Craigslist and eBay.

The main attraction in the show is probably the Show Gardens, which are fiercely competitive and judged for RHS medals. The winner of 'Best in Show' is guaranteed enormous amounts of publicity and, I guess, plenty of wealthy clients for life.



One of my overall impressions was that I saw a lot of plantings in this naturalistic style. There always seems to be one plant that appears in almost every garden. This year it was Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima).


Can you spot some feather grass in here?

Shell Art

I spent my first day at the 2007 Chelsea Flower Show on a gorgeous sunny day in London.


A grotto!