So today I went to the Chelsea Flower Show. So I hope you aren't expecting anything but lots of pictures of flowers. Because that is what you are going to get.
I might say that what follows is not a fair representation of the place. If one just aimed a camera at random, what you would see is the tide of humanity, specifically pensioner humanity. In floods. Frankly they let in far too many people to make it a relaxed experience. To see any of the show gardens you have to await the scrum of OAPs in front of you to depart one by one to get a clear glance of the gardens. Also the exhibits are usually far smaller than you would imagine, in order to make room for the masses.
And surrounding everything is a vast array of stalls selling things which often have the most tenuous connection to gardens - floral dresses, panama hats, things made out of bark....
But of course there are amazing plants.....
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| Chelsea Hospital itself |
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| This may not look much in the photo, but was just the most practical garden for a small courtyard/backyard - tumbling water at the back, double seats at either side, small trees surrounding for shade |
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| This place did some extraordinary bird sculptures out of bark from some tree in the Philippines |
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| This was was one of the nicest gardens, conceived as a Roman villa courtyard, but with enormous queues for the privilege of shuffling around it, so no photo would do it justice! |
We then moved inside into the pavilion, which really means a move from gardens and knick knacks to full on flower, Some truly amazing blooms. We started with a little group up for new flower of the year. This is a new hydrangea which knocks spots off my standard blue one.
And this is a very dramatic begonia.
And a lovely white clematis
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| These may look like deformed tulips, but are actually orchids |
Finally an amazing display from South Africa
Oh and this stall which displayed vegetables in frames as if still life paintings. Very cool.
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