The Chelsea Show

[Weeterrier]

Will any of you be watching? I probably will, as long as it doesn't clash with Corrie Though we could have a wee chat about what we like and dislike this year.
Must admit I am less interested in the show gardens than I am in the flowers. Well, I would be wouldn't I , being a flower junkie.
Today at 12.30, in for a cuppa I think.

[purplejulia]

I like watching Chelsea too WeeT, but I hate the the celebrity gardens and the celebs they have trying to talk about their love of gardening.

Remember the lollipop garden that Gavin Diarmuid had in about 2002/3 - I know he is exhibiting again this year. I can't bear him. When he was presenting gardening programmes overhe didn't even have his own garden! I think he is taking the p***

I hate the idea of the instant garden and that is what most of the garden are in Chelsea. But like you, I love seeing the flowers.
PJ

[Tig]

I watched the intro programme last night, good to see them all 'hard at it' ;D

I only like the show gardens which are practical, forget those which are too arty @arty. But I do enjoy seeing how they develop their planting schemes and you get ideas about what works. There was a lot of 'green' around, which is fine, I like green

I'll be watching but I'm not sure on the choice of presenters, Alan, Joe, Carol and Chris are OK but Lawrence L-B? and Nicki Chapman? Hmmm I will decide as the week progresses

Tig

[carolann]

I love Chelsea as well. Hate the Irish bloke you know the one that did come dancing, I love it when they show you inside the big tents just the normal folk trying to make a go of it, they are nicer than the show gardens as I dont understand half of them. ;D

[Weeterrier]

Like most of you, the big show gardens are not really of much good to me, but I like the little courtyard ones, full of ideas to copy. And the Floral Marquee, cannot ever see enough of that, and it is good to see old and new nurseries gaining a good card, you can see that growing is their whole life.
I don't even object to Nicki Chapman. She is quite understated in her presenting manner and she remains ladylike. Also she is not on our screens too much, so I am not tired of her.
I do have one moan though, and I'm quite sure I'm not alone. I have absolutely no interest in what, for example, Chris Tarrant thinks of Chelsea. Because there is a lot of green this year, he said that perhaps the designers hadn't tried very hard. On the contrary, to create a beautiful garden with just foliage must take a great deal of planning. Prat I suppose interviewing celebrities may be of interest to those who have no interest in plants, but do they watch the show anyway?
I enjoyed the first show I've seen, and am looking forward to tonight.

[Spruance]

There was a half hour programme introduced by Alan Titchmarsh, on a continuous repeat on BBC interactive (Channel 301) today. I don't normally watch the Chelsea coverage but I thought that the gardens on today's programme were actually almost practical, which is quite unsual IMO.

[Weeterrier]

I agree Spru, so far none have been totally ridiculous.

[snowowl]

I always watch Chelsea i like RDT choice on flowers for her show garden.
But then again i love Heucheras and she is putting some in her garden.
I think some of the show gardens are a bit over the top and totaly unpractical to the everyday gardener and our budgets.
But i will tape it all week because i dont like to miss it and it gives me something to watch when theres nothing else on.
I dont watch the lunchtime slot though.

[Amo]

I've tended to wain in my watching over the years. And as I've just said in the other thread, I love the NGS gardens anyday! Real circumstances are far more apealing!! ;D

[Weeterrier]

I've watched all three shows today, and admit I've enjoyed them all. In fact I haven't seen anything I don't like, so far. Except the celebrity interviews again.
I believe there has been a bit of controversy over Rachel de Thame designing a garden because she isn't a designer. Well, I think she did pretty well, and will be interested to see what she wins. Also, I'm rooting for Jamaica to get the Gold this year.

I'm just away to make one of Diarmid's flowery parasols out of some hosepipe and an old petticoat. ;D

[Missredhead]

May 19, 2008 20:29:57 GMT Weeterrier said:

I'm just away to make one of Diarmid's flowery parasols out of some hosepipe and an old petticoat. ;D

will we get pics?

[Tig]

Yep, celebrity interviews were a complete waste of time, as was the bit on the 'royal' visitors

Just show me the plants, tell me some interesting facts, and put the names of the plants on screen for longer

x Tig

[purplejulia]

May 19, 2008 20:29:57 GMT Weeterrier said:

I've watched all three shows today, and admit I've enjoyed them all. In fact I haven't seen anything I don't like, so far. Except the celebrity interviews again.
I believe there has been a bit of controversy over Rachel de Thame designing a garden because she isn't a designer. Well, I think she did pretty well, and will be interested to see what she wins. Also, I'm rooting for Jamaica to get the Gold this year.

I'm just away to make one of Diarmid's flowery parasols out of some hosepipe and an old petticoat. ;D

Oh Wee you did make me laugh out loud to myself reading your post about Diarmid! Feeling a bit tearful after watching the wonderful Edwyn Collins doc programme about his road to recovery after a stroke.

PJ

[Rosefriend]

Well as usual I can't see it but I have found the official website and they have two webcams, so I can see a little bit - pity there aren't any close ups though.

Here is the link if anyone wants a quick look - the list of new plants is there as well....ooo there are some beauties there.

www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea/2008/index.asp

RF

[4pygmies]

My SiL dropped just as Chelsea started last night so I had to turn the sound down but everytime I looked there seemed to be some grinning 'celebrity waffling on - I dunno why they do that.. Who cares...?
And I shall be glad when the awards have been handed out and we can get on with the serious business of the gardens and plants - I'm afraid I'm not much interested in who gets what either.... The plants look lovely this year though - it makes me laugh that they are all so shocked that 'green' is the dominant colour this year...I thought it always was! I am enjoying the coverage more than usual this year though, despite my whinges....prolly because I am looking forward to GWLive so much

[Weeterrier]

Is it awful to admit that I really WOULD like to try to make one of those parasols? I though they were lovely. I am feeling all creative. And yes, if I make one, you'll get a picture. It might even have a butterfly perched on one of the petals. ;D And a gnome underneath. Second thoughts, I've gone too far there.

[Tig]

Just a wee bit WT, stop at the butterfly ;D Not that I am anti-gnome or have any prejudice towards them of course, each to their own

Wednesdays coverage is all 'plants' I think, today will all be who has won what
(4p you may pick up some tips for GWLive! )

x Tig

[Dutchy]

I love Chelsea it's my one week of pure garden joy.
OH is in Minsk so I have the telly all to my self.
Can't watch during the day but probably most is repeted at night.

So far I have liked what I saw.
The more green and lush approach is very much to my liking.
I won't be digging down though.
Those sunken gardens would only fill with water in no time ;D
( I have one pond and that is enough )

[Dutchy]

;D
for Wee

images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=tuinkabouter&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2

[Weeterrier]

I'm not interested in who won what either Tig, roll on Wednesday.

And I'm with you Dutchy, green. lush and relaxing, soothing to the soul. Says she who has a garden like a sweet shop come July.

[Missredhead]

I bet that all the celebs don't even do their own gardening

[Plocket]

I love watching Chelsea but it does make me angry at times. The gardens are usually divine but there are many I'm not so keen on - of course that's a good thing! But I'm insensed at how much money it costs to create a show garden. I know it's advertising and I know that these companies have budgeted for the money, but I can't see how it can be justified when the gardens are taken down after the week. I still love it though

[Auricula]

I love it,love it,love it - all of it!!
I video the lunchtime slot and the 7:30 programme when it's on (Mon Wed Fri). I watch the 8pm show live and then late at night when OH has gone to bed I watch the Interactive loop on 301
My favourite garden is the BUPA one and I even like the celeb chat ( in moderation)
I follow it all in the broadsheet papers, online and can't get enough!! I'm a Chelsea junkie - and I even hope their footy team beat the Manx tomorrow night!!!
BTW - glad D. G's garden didn't get a good medal - I'm tired of the enfant terrible act

[Weeterrier]

May 20, 2008 8:11:45 GMT Dutchy said:

;D
for Wee

images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=tuinkabouter&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2

Thanks Dutchy, you must have posted at the same moment as me ;D

[Shrubrose]

Am loving the coverage so far but what's Big Al done with his sideburns?

I know it was about who won what last night but I'd love to see more of the small gardens. Do you think they'll feature these later in the week (only a recent convert to Chelsea after having been two years ago).

Tom Stuart-Smith's green garden was delightful wasn't it? Very clever and very brave. I loved those trees that he used and now cant remember the name of them - wasn't hornbeam was it?

Afraid Diarmuid's garden left me cold and, whilst very striking, I couldn't get excited about his 'parasols' (sorry Wee ). I agree with auricula, his attitude is becoming a tad boring. And bless Joe! Renamed 'Zoe' by some journo or other - he took it well, didn't he? ;D

[Weeterrier]

I agree Shrub, loved the winning garden, those white paeonies just sang out to complete a lovely serene place to be. Also loved the pond with the slate pathway and the water lilies in the other garden. I wasn't taken with Diarmids garden either actually, and was initially tongue-in-cheek about the parasols. But I have bog plants I brought with me from a soggy garden and the suffer in the heat in this drier soil. I'm thinking that if I made a big flower out of green netting, it might form some shade for them, and look decorative at the same time. I wouldn't have them tall certainly. If I make some, I'll let you see.
I really don't have any moans about Chelsea this year, and am looking forward to today, flower day.
As for Joe, I'm really very fond of him.

[Slugger]

Well I went to chelsea yesterday and it was one of the most inspiring days I have ever had (gardening wise that is!). Some of the plant combinations and design ideas had my head spinning as I (reluctantly) left at 7.30. Especially the deep purple lupins and the brilliant white foxgloves. Oh, and some superb tulips on the Bloms stand - a purple and yellow one particulalry caught my eye (forget the name but I have it photographed) and flaming parrot. And many more too - just wait untill I get my piccies downloaded!

Most of the gardens were brill too. My favourite was Lennox thingy's pool with intertwining path and water lilies - if I ever do get my lily pond I might pinch that idea! The Shetland one was good too, and I could not stop photographing George Harrison and the George Bernard Shaw one (why only bronze?). My head is still swimming!

The one garden I did not like was the supposedly Venitian one. All marble and no plants. Also a H&S nightmare with all that wet marble. Not surprised it didn't get a medal. DG was disappointing too - seen it all before from him, and a lot better too.

And celebrity watching? well nearly a complete set - Big Al, little Joe, Andy Sturgeon, CB, DG. Missed out on RdeT and Carol (but seen both before at GWL).

Talking of which - roll on June 11!

[4pygmies]

You lucky thing, Slugger. I look forward to the piccies. I am enjoying the coverage this year - better NOT to watch the lunchtime bit and watch the evening coverage I think. Tom Stuart-Smith is one of my favourite designers - his gardens are always beautiful, interesting and full of plants. I'm pleased he won Best in Show. There are some very gorgeous gardens this year - CLeve West's was another that looked really beautiful. I found DG's one quite soulless really - all style and no substance. He seems to have gone down a bit of a cul de sac creatively. Likewise that marble thng - that's not a garden, it's a fancy municipal entrance to some museum or somesuch IMO......incredibly well made (and expensive) but ultimately uninteresting to a plant lover. Tonight's programme concentrating on the plants should be good
Where is Carol Klein though? She seems to be hardly there - or is it because I am a terrestrial viewer only...?

[Weeterrier]

Great to hear you had a lovely inspirational day Slugger. And that you got close enough to the exhibits to enjoy them.

[Auricula]

I love Cleve West's garden for BUPA. I do think the Italian garden is evocative of Venice,but question whether it is actually a garden? Also, the judges felt that having rhododendrons in limestone urns was not quite defencible ! Mind you, I always feel sorry if there is only one garden which gets no medal at all!!! What a softie