|
|
Post by Plocket on May 20, 2007 17:59:27 GMT
Ok I'm going to stick my neck out here - I'm NOT champing at the bit to see the coverage this year. I probably will take a look - I'm not that mad  - but it really bugs me how much money is used to create the gardens, when it could be used so much better elsewhere. I know it's private money but that's beside the point - the gardens aren't real, practical gardens, and they are pretty much ripped apart and sold off afterwards. AND I'm sick of seeing all the wanna-be celebrities - I don't care about them - I want to see the plants and gardens if I'm going to watch. Rant over ;D |
|
|
|
Post by lottielady on May 20, 2007 18:52:10 GMT
Feel better now? ;D
LLx
|
|
|
|
Post by nightowl on May 20, 2007 19:43:28 GMT
Thanks for reminding me it was on. Managed to tape last half hour and just watched it. Pleased to see that the era of hard,abstract landscaping and the "silver balls and mirrors" look seems to be over  Most of the gardens I saw were on a nostalgia kick, with an old-fashioned look and lots of flowers.   for some gardens you feel you might actually like to sit in! |
|
|
|
Post by jean on May 20, 2007 20:46:46 GMT
Ok I'm going to stick my neck out here - I'm NOT champing at the bit to see the coverage this year. I probably will take a look - I'm not that mad - but it really bugs me how much money is used to create the gardens, when it could be used so much better elsewhere. I know it's private money but that's beside the point - the gardens aren't real, practical gardens, and they are pretty much ripped apart and sold off afterwards. AND I'm sick of seeing all the wanna-be celebrities - I don't care about them - I want to see the plants and gardens if I'm going to watch. Rant over ;D I agree with you Plocket, its more like a garden fashion show, but I suppose thats because gardening has become such big business. If there was nothing new we wouldn't be spending our hard earned cash in the GC's. Has anyone bought one of those upside down tomato planters  |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 20, 2007 21:05:43 GMT
I'm not 'champing at the bit' to see the coverage either.......... ...............No point really as I'll see it 'for real' on Tuesday ;D ;D ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Alicat on May 20, 2007 21:46:48 GMT
You lucky thing GH, - I would love to go and see it one day. Preferbly with someone that likes gardening. - I hope you have a great time. - That also goes for anyone else that is going. Plocket - I know want you mean but if we didn't have these shows where would we be. It does gives us idea's that we can turn around and use in our gardens. Btw. If I get chance I will be watching it. - Although I did miss it tonight. |
|
|
|
Post by nightowl on May 21, 2007 3:41:22 GMT
I went years ago Never again  The heat, not being able to see things properly cos of the crowds, the pushing and shoving, getting lost and missing lots. Would be instant panic attack for me nowadays  Having said all that (sorry) what we did see was wonderful. The main exhibition hall was a knockout, we were open-mouthed with awe. Hope you have a fantastic day GH ;D ;D, I'll leave it to the telly |
|
|
|
Post by beejay on May 21, 2007 20:23:20 GMT
I'm off there tomorrow - yippee!
Some of it is a bit like a fashion show, but people can take away little bits or get inspiration. We can still admire & gasp in admiration or moan about what is rubbish.
The small courtyard & city gardens are excellent & could be easily copied if you wanted to & then there are all the plants in the pavilions!
It is no more a waste of money than so many other things & arguably less so than many many things I could mention.
I'll get off my high horse now!
|
|
|
|
Post by skarloey on May 22, 2007 7:15:30 GMT
I'll be leaving in an hour and a half for my train. ;D
Meeting GH for lunch and then into the show! I've got my brand new camera (OH bought me it 'specially for Chelsea... awww), my tickets, purse, brochure and jacket packed, just need the taxi (ie MIL) to take me to the station. ;D
Very excited! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2007 7:16:58 GMT
I hope everyone has a good time ;D sara |
|
|
|
Post by isabella on May 22, 2007 7:20:18 GMT
I hope you have a really lovely day Skarloey - give my love to GH |
|
|
|
Post by skarloey on May 22, 2007 7:24:54 GMT
Thank you Sara. ;D Thank you Pam. ;D I promise I'll give her the message. |
|
|
|
Post by Plocket on May 22, 2007 8:10:19 GMT
Take lots of photos please Skarloey |
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on May 22, 2007 17:03:14 GMT
We expect a full coverage of the show and pics of what we should desire to have in our gardens. No not Chris B he has been claimed by a board member before ;D Did you lucky ones have a good drool? As for Chelsea being too much ... a) You have it ( no such show here ) b) There is good coverage for all to see on the Beeb ( try getting more than 1/2 an hour about a garden show on Dutch tv ) c) Where else should one bung so many ideas together. I think they even sell everything on after the show and all entrance fees too make for a hefty chunk of money that can be spend on general interest again. Oh well sigh Chelsea.... wanna go toooooo  |
|
|
|
Post by Plocket on May 22, 2007 17:12:43 GMT
I really enjoyed seeing the coverage of the Fetzer garden today (we like their wines too ) but when I tried to find more photographs from the Fetzer site there weren't any. Apparently they are selling the bit that was involved in the Chelsea Show Garden I'm pleased they won a gold medal though. And on the subject of medals, there appear to have been quite a few gold medals awarded this year. I can't wait to hear what Skarloey thought of Chelsea ;D Do you have digital TV Dutchy? Would there be more coverage if you did? What a shame that you miss out because the coverage so far has been excellent, and I've managed to avoid seeing all the celeb-spotting ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Cheerypeabrain on May 22, 2007 17:22:56 GMT
I've never been, so I rely on the coverage on the beeb. A lot of the exhibitors take their gardens to GW Live as well...so I get to see them there most years... My sister has said that she's usually offered free tickets and turns them down  ....after I picked myself up I've persuaded her to take them next year! I really don't like big crowds much, but am prepared to put up with it to see the show. ;D Managed OK at Malvern anyway... |
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on May 22, 2007 17:29:43 GMT
I rely on Beeb 1 and 2 and they give a good coverage. This is the one week in the year that Oh goes  because of all the greenery. One hour in the evening and half an hour in the day which I tape and try to see in the evening too. Maybe he gets the bug and wants to start gardening too. I could do with an extra misplaced plants remover. Did several misplaced grasses in the paving yesterday and still have a sore back... and a satisfied grin on my face. They do not broadcast over broadband here so no interactive Chelsea for me. On the bright side I can't get an overdose of it this way. |
|
|
|
Post by lottielady on May 22, 2007 18:46:47 GMT
Arrived at Chelsea at 7.45am and joined the queue to get in, which I was really surprised at, I didn't think too many people would have got there that early. It was VERY crowded and I honestly wished I had not picked the first day to go. The layout was better this year but it was very difficult to see anything, I managed to see everything I wanted and I left at 1pm as I had enough of being pushed and shoved ( which started in the queue) - I am not good in crowds. If I go next year I will do as I did last year and go early on a public day - it was a lot less crowded then. I sort of enjoyed Chelsea but not as much as last year. Oh and I managed to see Chris Beardshaw - at last! Photobucket is taking forever - will post the photos later - some of them are a bit dark - sorry! |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on May 22, 2007 22:02:34 GMT
Oooh photo's LL goodo, Skarloey is taking some too. I saw the preview that AT did on the tv last night.
PB does seem to have it's slow moments and then other times it whizzes along like a train ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by lottielady on May 22, 2007 22:13:17 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Jonah on May 22, 2007 22:40:08 GMT
Well he doesn't look too young for me LL! ;D I haven't been to Chelsea since I was a young lass with me mum [she used to get free tickets or something in the 80's] I've still got the photos somewhere. I did love it, but I don't know if I could handle all the crowds nowadays. I haven't seen any of it on the telly. |
|
|
|
Post by Plocket on May 23, 2007 7:19:06 GMT
I hadn't realised you were going Lottie Lady I'm going to look at your photos right now..... |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 23, 2007 10:14:09 GMT
I'm adding a few photos and a full report on some RHS board members behavoiur on LL's Chelsea 2007 thread |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on May 23, 2007 12:43:11 GMT
I rely on Beeb 1 and 2 and they give a good coverage. This is the one week in the year that Oh goes because of all the greenery. One hour in the evening and half an hour in the day which I tape and try to see in the evening too. Maybe he gets the bug and wants to start gardening too. I could do with an extra misplaced plants remover. Did several misplaced grasses in the paving yesterday and still have a sore back... and a satisfied grin on my face. They do not broadcast over broadband here so no interactive Chelsea for me. On the bright side I can't get an overdose of it this way. How I would love to see the Chelsea Flower Show - at least you can get BB1 and BB2 Dutchy - I can't get them at all. Oh well - like a lot of things - I suppose I can carry on dreaming. RF |
|
|
|
Post by Pip on May 23, 2007 15:03:56 GMT
Well I went to the Chelsea Flower some years ago and swore I would never go again. Do not get me wrong, it was lovely but the crush and it was so diffucult to see anything properly.
Watching it on the TV isn't the best way but you really do see more and it is cheaper.
Pip
|
|
|
|
Post by greenfingers on May 25, 2007 7:31:19 GMT
My ticket cost me £44 which I understand is the same as for a premier football match these days - except I can stay for 12 hours and enjoy everything and not have to endure either football or bad crowd behaviour. Sandwiches and drinks are cheaper than Wembley. It's not as crowded as it used to be and its generally good natured and polite and it's a once a year treat so a bargain really.
It has always been a plant fashion show from its first beginnings and I don't see what's wrong with that. If I went to a car show or an Ideal Homes exhibition I'd want to see the latest models and technology and a few old veterans too.
Chelsea is about excellence in plantsmanship and design, about new ways with old materials and new and it's about showcasing products and plants you wouldn't see in your average garden centre. For me it's also about meeting up with gardening friends and chatting and sharing delight or occasional horror and it's an affirmation that no matter what your taste or skills, there is something in gardening and plants for everyone, no matter how big or small your plot and budget. The only real limit to gardening is imagination.
What's not to love about it?
Personally, I disliked the Martian garden. I liked the front half with its succulents and veggies but thought the back half was poor. I didn't like the Australian garden - nearly all black plants with no relief so too sombre and dull. Diarmuid's garden was beautiful with some lovely paving work amidst lovely plants. Andy Sturgeon used too many tatty grasses and I didn't like his black garden room structure.
I really liked the Fortnum and Mason garden but the best for me was Chris Beardshaw's homage to Hidcote. The planting in the sunny and shady areas was glorious and it looked like it had always been there. The moss garden was stunning too.
I wasn't impressed by many of the small gardens this year - bit boring - but I did love the one with found objects stuffed with plants and I liked the purple and silver scheme in the Welsh garden. In the pavillion I also loved the clematis displays and the Hardy Plant Society and Hilliers. I tend to ignore the tropical and the orchids as they are not to my taste but, like I said, there's something for everyone.
|
|
SteveC
Under Gardener
Posts: 43
|
Post by SteveC on May 27, 2007 17:40:06 GMT
We went a couple of years ago (the first year that they extended the show to Saturday -- we went on the Friday). Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience!
I think the best bit for me was the chance to talk to some of the exhibitors without them worrying that they'd be missing a sale. We spoke to several of the garden designers, and quite a few of the Floral Maquee exhibitors. It's not the same as the telly -- some things which look really good on the box don't work in real life, but sometimes it's the other way round.
As for this year, we (Mrs C and I) thought the coverage was better than previous years. The 'banter' between the three presenters of the evening bits seemed very genuine as opposed to the rather forced mateyness of GW. I suppose AT is just better at that sort of thing than MD and Joe Swift is a better foil than Dermuid Gavin (sp?).
Plans for next year include Chelsea and Hampton Court (and GW live!) -- I can't see us making all three, but I ought to try to get something out of my RHS membership, I suppose ;-)
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by JennyWrenn on May 27, 2007 17:54:27 GMT
I enjoy the slide show I get from the Beeb - you can see much more and read about how the gardens were created I went to Tatton last year; it was crowded, I didnt see very much and the plants were sooooooooooooo expensive And soooooo hot - many had their umbrellas up to keep the sun off them - we had to visit the Pimms tent many times to cool down But am sure I will still go again this year ;D |
|
|
|
Post by skarloey on May 27, 2007 18:37:18 GMT
Plans for next year include Chelsea and Hampton Court (and GW live!) -- I can't see us making all three, but I ought to try to get something out of my RHS membership, I suppose ;-) Steve Do you know, I clean forgot to mention that I'm going to Hampton Court too!!!! ;D My mum's friend bought her two tickets for her birthday!!! (No not for her and mum, she's nearly 90 and has "been too many times" the ticket is for me! ) I'm very excited, I've never been before. Is it any good? |
|
|
|
Post by isabella on May 27, 2007 18:44:42 GMT
Hello Skarloey - you will love Hampton Court Although it gets busy there always seems to be enough room Bonus is you can buy any plants that take your fancy Guess who's been asked to help out on the Homebase garden This time to help plant it up I don't know anything about the garden yet - who has designed it etc. - big boss will tell me about it tomorrow He did mention that I would be staying in a hotel the night before so it sounds like an early start - not a problem for me |
|
- but it really bugs me how much money is used to create the gardens, when it could be used so much better elsewhere. I know it's private money but that's beside the point - the gardens aren't real, practical gardens, and they are pretty much ripped apart and sold off afterwards. AND I'm sick of seeing all the wanna-be celebrities - I don't care about them - I want to see the plants and gardens if I'm going to watch. 
Most of the gardens I saw were on a nostalgia kick, with an old-fashioned look and lots of flowers. 
....after I picked myself up I've persuaded her to take them next year! I really don't like big crowds much, but am prepared to put up with it to see the show. ;D Managed OK at Malvern anyway...
