5 minute read
Capturing the essence of Autumn at Chelsea
The Chelsea Flower Show has certainly delivered in abundance, despite it being the first time it has ever taken place in September. The timing provided the opportunity for a different palette of plants to shine – plenty of rich colours working in tandem with the subtle autumn light. From dahlias and grasses to rudbeckias and echinaceas, the plants featured capture the essence of the season.
Small space gardening A new concept for Chelsea for 2021, five Container Garden gardens, demonstrate how vastly different looks can be created in small spaces through the use of containers and planting schemes. From a beach-inspired corrugated steel look, through to a playful pop-art space and a tranquil modern Japanese garden – it really shows the versatility that plants provide to a space.
Sustainability was a strong theme running through many of the gardens at the show, demonstrating the positive impact of gardening on the environment.
Small is beautiful
Five new to Chelsea designers were challenged to each create a pocket-size realistic garden in the footprint of a generous balcony that is 2m wide and 5m long. Each balcony garden incorporates planting that will thrive in the confines of the space, improving wildlife corridors, as well as being great for humans too.
Highlighting Houseplants
Recognising the huge interest in houseplants in recent years the Houseplant Studios at Chelsea showcased different and eyecatching ways of displaying them and showing them off to their best. N1 Garden Centre’s autumn studio focussed on showing how the new seasons offerings can be combined to produce inspirational statements inside the home. With a theme of people and plants living in harmony, Forest demonstrated unique and inspiring ways to display houseplants in a small urban setting. Conservatory Archives created a bathroom packed full of plants to create a natural paradise whilst Malvern Garden Buildings working with Indoor Garden Design created a neon pink immersive plant retreat ‘suspended’ in a giant macrame hanger
Gold for David Domoney with Miracle-Gro
Houseplants were also on centre stage in the Great Pavilion with David Domoney and Miracle-Gro’s: My Houseplant Changed My Life exhibit not only taking a gold medal but being awarded the accolade of Best Discovery Zone exhibit.
David Domoney, comments “With many people working, schooling and stuck at home during lockdown, there’s been a big increase in indoor growing indoors. This exhibit looks at the symbiotic relationship between humans and plants inside the home and the benefits of keeping those plants healthy. Each of the 50 varieties benefits humans in one form or another and this exhibit highlights and celebrates their personalities.
“We’re trying to raise awareness of the environment inside homes and offices, exploring the sustainable benefits that plants (and microorganisms in the soil of plants) have in detoxifying the air. The exhibit reviews extensive studies on the power of plants to detoxify air & produce fresh oxygen, including many scientific bodies and the original NASA experiments.”
Dobbies secures five stars at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The Dobbies stand featuring an impactful living wall, an area dedicated to promoting the benefits of pollinators and sustainable gardening practices, as well as a grow your own area, was awarded five stars. Plants featured on the stand included Delphinium, Echinacea, Heuchera and Rudbeckia, as well as houseplants including Monstera, Nephrolepsis, Calathea and Adiantum. The creation of the garden involved a range of sustainable products including new ranges that are landing in-store at Dobbies this September, such as peatfree compost products for young to mature plants.
Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies, commented: “Five stars is a brilliant accolade for our team and all the suppliers who have worked together to bring our vision to life. We’ve had such a positive response to the garden so far and it’s been great to share details of our sustainable practices as well as our team expertise. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.”
Dobbies’ stand features contributions from a range of suppliers including Evergreen, Carbon Gold, Bloomin’ Amazing, Pure Greenhouses, Contemporary Fencing, Talasey Group, Southern Trident, Ecopots plus plant suppliers Darby Nursery, Allensmore Nurseries, Lovania Nurseries, Floreac and Pro-Veg Seeds. Also featuring in the Dobbies’ garden is Ergrownomics who offer a sustainably designed system of raised planters that allow everyone, regardless of garden size, the opportunity to grow their own vegetables.
Best Artisan Garden for Blue Diamond
The Blue Diamond Forge Garden was awarded Best Artisan Garden along with a Silver Award. This is a tremendous achievement for the Blue Diamond Group not least as it is the first time that the Group has exhibited at RHS Chelsea.
Managing Director, Alan Roper was delighted with the awards and said; “RHS Chelsea has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talents within the Blue Diamond Group. Our Garden was originally thought up and designed by employees within the Group who have then worked closely and had excellent support from Conquest Creative Spaces and Project Consultant, Cherry Carmen, to bring the Blue Diamond Forge Garden to life. I am delighted with how the Garden looks and I have already had many complimentary comments from visitors to the show.
Chelsea Plant of the Year 2021
The Chelsea Plant of the Year Cercis canadensis ‘Eternal Flame’ (Nc216-2), which was put forward by Stonebarn Landscapes. New and unique, all new growth throughout the season emerges deep red, changing to burnt orange and golden yellow as the leaves mature continually throughout the year.
Royal visit for Peter Seabrook and Pershore High School students
The Sun’s correspondent Peter Seabrook worked with young people from Pershore High School to create a stunning plant pyramid in the Great Pavilion. The students grew Chrysanthemum Poppins for the exhibit as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award activities. The feature, which was awarded a silver medal featured more than 20 new and recently introduced plants, including Allium ‘Lavender Bubbles’ which came second in the Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2021 Competition.
The team were delighted that Prince Edward, who now oversees the DofE Award, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex took time to speak to them about the creation of the exhibit.
Sustainable Product of the Year
The Chelsea Sustainable Product of the Year was announced in May during the virtual Chelsea event, with Ocean Plastic Pots taking the glory. These sustainable plant pots are made in Scotland from recycled polypropylene from discarded ropes and fishing nets. The expert judging panel included Entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den investor Deborah Meaden who presented the award in person at the show.
A full rundown of results from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show can be found at https://www.rhs.org.
