So that will be the back of Ringo's head and Ryan (@ryansgarden) pretending to pose
The first time I ever went to Chelsea Flower Show was in 1985 when I was on some YTS scheme (don't ask) and got a job selling icecream at the show. Every morning before the grounds opened I would wander around the gardens and the pavilion and wonder at it all. Which is surprising really now I look back, because I wasnt much interested in gardens back then. I did however buy a very tall foxglove on the last day and took it home on the bus. I didnt have a garden, but I didnt care. This might have been the beginning of my fascination with the whole business of Chelsea. An event I find amazing and infuriating all in one go.
Forward 28 years and I found myself at the press day ogling the many celebs and getting a good gander at the gardens. The celebrity count was high, although frankly I cant think of the last time I saw Floella Benjamin in anything, and the gardens were bold and expensive, tall and flashy but in between it all there were small beautiful details, gorgeous planting, inspirational touches and finally, a garden which actually nearly moved me to tears, The Korean DMZ garden. The more I looked at this garden, the more I saw and I felt it showed up the huge erection next door.
You've all seen the gardens, but I'll bet you've not seen these three...
It was evident to me that the sponsors hold the key to the way gardens are presented these days. Tons of expensive landscaping, massive great trees, showy and flashy and really out of place considering the current financial situation most of us are living in. I particularly took against one, which for me was vulgar, ill conceived and really much the same as many gardens I've seen in the past. It reminded me of the now defunct Westonbirt Garden Festival which ran for a few years and showcased some very exciting and innovative gardens, it was a stretch to find anything close at Chelsea this year.
The Artisan gardens were as they always are, tiny areas of detail and some really great planting, I stopped and admired two in particular, the Japanese garden Satoyama Life and The Plankbridge Shepherd's Hut garden.They are what they are, and they are not meant to be actual gardens, they are little pieces of theatre and incredibly well done.
Well, that's my opinion and doubtless many will disagree. Gardens do not need to be pretty and pristine. The Korean Garden proved that for me, the beauty was in the feeling and in the detail and although I'm sure it cost a packet to produce, it did at least make people stop and look and think. Many of the rest were too easy to pass by.
Anyway, back to the celebs. Seeing Cliff, Brucie, Nigel, John, Ringo and John Hurt must be a full house surely?
Julian Fellowes doing his thing with shepherds hut.
I agree that Diarmuid's garden was flash and in complete contrast to the DMZ garden next door. I hear the latter had some real problems and drama in getting to the show at all.
However, Gavin's tower did get me asking questions too - about how on earth we're going to garden successfully in the high rise flats we'll all be living in in the future.
I actually got to meet Ringo - and he and Barbara Bach waved and spoke to me again on their way out :D
Posted by: VP | May 22, 2012 at 05:23 PM
PS I sooooooo wanted to have a good long chat with you yesterday but it was manic!
Posted by: VP | May 22, 2012 at 05:24 PM
Dear VP, now I know this I will have to touch you so I've touched someone who spoke to Ringo! Why don't we get together soon? Like we keep meaning to?! x
Posted by: Emma Bond | May 22, 2012 at 05:37 PM
I wish someone would send me a shepherd's hut to review (and keep!). I'm sure I'd be able to give it a good write-up.
Posted by: Esther Montgomery | May 22, 2012 at 07:07 PM
I could kill you for that picture!! And a great day was had by all!
Ryan x
Posted by: Ryan | May 22, 2012 at 07:11 PM
haha!! so funny.. it makes me laugh so much every time I look at it!!
Posted by: Emma Bond | May 22, 2012 at 07:31 PM
Another year passes without me visiting Chelsea but this gives a good flavour of what I missed. Love the celeb spotting - did any of them even look at the gardens??
Posted by: Carolyn @ Urban Veg patch | May 22, 2012 at 08:38 PM
Hi Carolyn, I expect a couple did. The rest were quaffing champers and standing in front of the paps!
Posted by: Emma Bond | May 23, 2012 at 09:54 AM
Re meeting up - let's make it so! :)
I can happily report that Ringo was there to support the WaterAid garden with the passion of someone who's really involved with and cares about the charity. So at least he and Barbara Bach weren't token celebs at all :D
Posted by: VP | May 23, 2012 at 11:57 AM