NOW in its 111th year, Chelsea is the Queen of Flower Festivals – the jewel in the RHS Crown.
Thousands of people come from across the UK for the prestigious event – and it ends today after six days of floral fantasy, tricky weather and mind-bending builds of dreamy designs.
15
15
15
With everyone from King Charles and Camilla to Dame Judy Dench, Sue Barker, Joel Dommet and Alan Titchmarsh in attendance, it’s one of the social events of the year.
The winner of the 2024 Plant of the Year award was a white cherry with star-shaped petals called Prunus Starlight. The second was Cosmos atrosanguineus Cherry Chocolate, and the third was Agave ‘Preying Hands’.
Here are my top ten items to take home.
- The ‘best in show’ winning the serene gold medal Muscular Dystrophy Gardendesigned by Ula Maria.
Based on the Japanese concept of Forest Bathing, it is sponsored by Project Giving Back and offers DM patients an opportunity to take a break, relax and reconnect with nature – something people with the disease are often unable to do. Really humiliating. It was really serene and peaceful and will be moving to Glasgow after the show.
2. The fabulous Carnivorous plants of Hampshire in the Grand Pavilion they had pure tropical vibes – although they are completely hardy and can grow in the UK.
3. The greenhouse Effect’s Houseplant Studio was the first exhibition designed and built by women in prison – cleverly reflecting their inspiring journey through HMP East Sutton Park, Kent.
4. The National Garden Scheme garden designed by Tom Stuart Smith was a remarkable forest setting, overflowing with beautiful whites and greens.
5. The innovative Bridgerton Garden, sponsored by Netflix, was a “secret, secluded space” inspired by the character Penelope Featherington.
6. Standing under the huge rainwater harvesting pavilion surrounded by really clever resilient plantings in Tom Massey’s WaterAid garden was an absolute joy.
7. Harry Holding’s Forbidden Adults Garden was lovely to see – especially with its waterslide in an underground lair – and all the kids swarming through it.
8. The Sue Ryder’s Garden of Mourning it was a great concept – designed to start conversations about grief and highlight the charity’s bereavement service. Kate Garraway, who recently lost her husband Derek, spent time in the garden on Monday.
9. Primrose Hall Peonies were an absolute delight in the Grand Pavilion. Such incredible flowers and colors.
10. She grows vegetables had a fabulous stand in the Grand Pavilion and a much deserved medal. They ship heirloom vegetable seeds straight to your door.
15
15
15
CAN THEY DIG?
It’s National Children’s Gardening Week.
Starting today, visit www.childrensgardeningweek.co.uk to discover a range of children’s activities to make them curious about the outdoors.
This year, the organizer ATS has partnered with World of Peter Rabbit – and participating garden centers across the UK will be giving away free Peter Rabbit activity booklets.
If you can’t get your hands on the real version, visit the website to download a digital version.
There is also a page showing which centers have the booklets and an exhaustive list of all the activities taking place at local garden centers.
This includes pot painting, special trails for children, building mini garden safaris, planting seeds and much more.
The week raises funds for the fabulous Green Fingers charitydedicated to providing magical gardens for children in hospices suffering from life-limiting illnesses.
15
LITTLE BIG DREAMS
ROBERTOT Days is presenting Little Plant & Pause starting today.
This will involve a series of gardening activities for children on Instagram throughout half term, including a Grow Your Own Runner Bean competition.
The winner will receive a package of garden games and children’s gardening equipment.
Visit any Robert Dyas store to pick up a free packet of green bean seeds and help them grow a beanstalk!
Entrants are invited to tag Robert Dyas on Instagram @robertdyas with their best photo by July 31st, with the hashtag #LittlePlantandPause, for a chance to win.
15
BEEZY DOES IT
Urbee’s Bee Box’ is a fun and educational set for school-age children, encouraging them to get out and watch the bees.
Endorsed by Buglife – the Invertebrate Conservation Trust, includes bee identification, information and activity cards, Seedballs® and more. www.urbee.co.uk
15
THIS WEEK’S WORK
Start thinking about pinching off the tops of your fuschia to encourage them to grow thickly. With warmer temperatures come more weeds, so try to keep control of them.
15
THIS WEEK’S TIP
If foxes and squirrels are digging up your bedding plants – scatter some kitchen pepper flakes – it will deter them but won’t bother the birds.
15
TO WIN!
One lucky winner will get their hands on a MX4340V Wireless Snake mower worth £335.99!
Manually and battery-powered, it has five cutting heights and is a great piece of stylish yet practical kit.
To participate and for more details, visit www.thesun.co.uk/COBRA or complete THIS WAY.
Or write to Sun COBRA competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP.
Include your name, age, email or phone number. UK residents aged 18+ only. Ends at 23:59 GMT on 06/08/24. Full terms and conditions HERE
15
TO SAVE!
Dig deep for this adorable £22.99 Burgon Shovel and Ball Kids,
15
Or go to Amazon Carousel £12.99 version.
15
LEARN!
Q. I found an ever-increasing variety of broadleaf grasses trying to take over my lawn.
Despite spending hours harvesting this grass, it always comes back. Is there a suitable herbicide for this grass or another method for its removal.
Steve Epton, via email.
A. That sounds like Couch Grass. Herbicide is tricky because it destroys everything around it, stays in the soil and is bad for wildlife, but if that’s the route you’d like to go – then would something with glyphosate be better – like Roundup Ultra?
When it is dead, rake it up and reseed it.
Or dig it up – make sure you get all the rhizomes and everything. Then fill the hole with a mixture of soil and seeds. Go native from seed, like Bent and Fescue – as they love to be cut and give very good coverage – leaving less room for the boring Couch to appear.
15
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
