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.