Hot fab Chelsea

Andy Sturgeon's Daily Telegraph Garden - Best in Show

Tropical sunshine was not on the cards when I packed my bags for this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, but tropical sunshine is what we got and what a day! The fashionistas and glitterati turned out in their summer finery, everyone cooked and drank a lot of liquid, and the sun tan got its first real blush of the season.

Probably one of the best Chelsea's I have been too, the standard of the large gardens was just superb and somehow I feel that this time Chelsea has got back to its roots - yes there were innovations, and rightly so, but the gardens had a more natural and earthy appeal - designers did not lose sight of the fact that gardens are to relax in and yes the plants play a part too.


I was delighted that Andy Sturgeon won the Best in Show for his lovely garden for the Daily Telegraph. Andy is one of the country's most talented designers and the sun brought out all the clever and interesting aspects of his garden to perfection.

The exhibits in the Great Pavilion were again among the best I have ever seen at Chelsea. The standard each year just gets higher and higher.

Problem with the Great Pavilion is that you want to run in several directions at the same time, to the hostas, the roses, the maples or the alpines. This way that way I don't know! Trouble is you always miss some gem or other - perhaps I should get myself some motorised transport for next year!

David Austin launched six new varieties of rose so keep posted on the Reckless Gardener website for an update on them.

I found Twiggy getting friendly with a lot of roses and a group of very talented young ladies performing with very weird looking instruments! That got everyone in party mood and all we needed now was to partake of the plunge pool provided by those lovely gardeners from 'down under' in the form of Flemings Trailfinders, on their Oz garden but obviously that wasn't allowed!

There is much to see and do at this year's Chelsea and those lucky enough to have tickets will not be disappointed. Its another sell out, so let's hope the weather stays kind as well.

Chelsea getting closer

The greatest event on the gardening calendar is getting ever closer and the excitement is mounting. What will be this year's main themes, colours, ideas? Personally I love colour so the gardens with buzz and excitement are the ones for me. Andrew Duff, Garden School Director at the Inchbald School of Design, thinks that this year we will see "rich, moody green backdrops brightened by almost sweet-shop coloured flowers". If he is correct then it is going to be my kind of Chelsea.

There are always lots of 'associated' events running alongside the Chelsea Flower Show and once again Clifton Nurseries will host a Chelsea Garden Party on Thursday 27th May from 6.30pm to 9pm. This is our chance to meet Clifton's award winning team from previous Chelsea Flower Shows, giving a review of this year's show plus the opportunity to discuss this year's entries. Enj0y delicious simple summer food and drink which is included in the ticket price of £25.00 or £20 for Friends of Clifton. Book tickets on 020 7432 1866 or contact guy.pullen@clifton.co.uk

Peter Jones (Sloane Square Branch of John Lewis) will be offering an exclusive Floral Trio Afternoon Tea available from the 25th to the 29th May. They are reworking the popular afternoon tea to create a unique floral treat for you using traditional English garden flowers.

This weekend the National Trust's Acorn Bank, in Cumbria, are hosting a Full Bloom Festival to celebrate all that is spring, blossom time and our wonderful orchards. Open on Sunday 9th May from 11am to 4.30pm there will be various organisatiolns on hand to celebrate the blossoming of the first anniversary of the National Trust's Traditional Orchard Project.

National Tomato Week starts on Monday 17th May and B&Q are continuing their commitment to Get Britain Gardening. They have joined forces with the National Trust for a second year to offer 50,000 peat-free tomato plants to visitors this summer. The plants will be available at the top 100 properties around the country from mid-May.

Keep logging into www.recklessgardener.com for all your Chelsea news.