Chelsea-2017

[David Nicholson]

I haven't seen any comments from anyone yet. I haven't watched any of it in 'real-time' and I have still one programme to watch of the recordings Maureen made for me of the nightly shows, so my comments so far.

Why do Joe Swift and Monty Don have to act like Morecambe and Wise?

As usual there was an awful lot said about 'design' and 'show gardens' which further honed my 'shouting at the telly' technique! Indeed the only one I liked, because it looked like a garden, was Chris Beardshaw's and that didn't get a Gold. I think he was as annoyed as me about that.

Why does the programme maker have to drag in every presenter who is still alive who has at some time ever been on Gardener's World. Is it their way of saying "sorry but we haven't anything for you to do on Gardener's World these days so here's a free ticket to Chelsea, oh, and turn up in your best togs".

Could the RHS pay for just a short acting lesson for the winners of Gold medals who are 'notified' of their success whilst they are on the telly and thus have to feign their surprise for the benefit of the cameras?

Having, in one programme, watched Carol Kline marching purposely towards the plant and flower marquee I thought "Ah, at last they're going to mention plants and maybe they'll mention alpines" only to find that after three looks at different stands we moved back to looking again at designy stuff...... again.

One thing that did please me though. Seeing the Harperley Hall Farm Nurseries stand, a segment shot at the nursery and an interview with Gary McDermott one of the partners... and they got a Gold.... and they advertise regularly with us.......... and they sell some really good stuff, have a look.
http://www.harperleyhallfarmnurseries.co.uk/

 

 

[johnralphcarpenter]

Couldn't agree more - RHS isn't about plants any more. I blame Big Sue.

[TC]

I switch usually over channels or switch off the TV as it just annoys me, however my good wife will watch it despite my comments.  There was one female "personality" enthusing over her garden...it looked like a couple of acres.  She told us how she fell in love with the place and just had to buy it....no doubt for a couple of million!.  I got the impression that a squad of navvies and gardeners moved in to create the garden and she pottered about.  No doubt she had a wealth of plant growing experience to impart to us mere mortals.

The Gold medal winner was a pile of stone blocks interspersed with weeds.  I was under the impression that it was a F-L-O-W-E-R show....wrong again.

[Graeme]

Have watched every episode either live or on the i-player

impressions - there were only 8 big gardens and half of them were rubbish - the best in show was the sponsors garden which was just an exercise in moving big chunks of stone and a few weeds - Chris Beardshaw's garden was good and should have won (won viewers vote and quite right too)

The *rap thing with the climbing frame..........

The big lass from the RHS went on to say mere mortals don't understand the subtly of the 'designers' art or the judging - commented to the wife "kings new clothes" more like

Alpines - well you got a glimpse of the nursery you mentioned - and I think I could see an few Alpine's in the rear of some of the shots in the floral marquee but they never actually got to see them

Lots of holidays to tropical climes for plants you cannot grow outside London or the cost in Cornwall - a bit elitist to be honest

So all in all a complete waste of time - I could also see glimpses of what looked like a lot of stunning bonsai trees on display and particularly satsuki azaleas which I collect and guess what we didn't see them either

The only bit that was of any interest was the allium grower in Holland (and the hosta guy but that bit had already been on TV some time ago)

Very very disappointed and although I liked the Japanese garden there was a pine near the front that was a real wrong un

2 out of 10 must do better - ditch the luvvies and get some flowers on

[Maggi Young]

Short piece in this programme - but at least Kevock Garden Plants gets a name-check from Carol Klein.

Kevock, a nursery with very definite SRGC  credentials, won  gold again for their  display - Kevock on BBC...approx 25.0mins into prog.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08s27tp

And in this,  a good clip of  plants from the Kevock Stand from Rachel de Thame - but no mention of the nursery name?!
And the second clip of Kevock display on BBC Chelsea coverage 😊 also around 25.0 mins into prog.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08s2dxy

BBC Clips only available in the UK, I'm afraid.

[Maggi Young]

I though Chris Beardshaw's garden looked lovely - and yet, only Silver Gilt - go figure - glad he got the peoples' vote though.
I have opined elsewhere that it seems to me no coincidence that the winning show garden was  sponsored by the overall Chelsea sponsor -  sceptical, me? You bet!

[ian mcdonald]

I made a comment on the AGS site about the lack of alpines (again). The following day a brief mention of alpines was made. I agree that the "gardens" are more like a building site than the gardens the majority of people have. The BBC coverage of chelsea is too dated and follows the same trend as all other years. Perhaps the organisers of the chelsea flower show should get out and about more to see how ordinary people garden, rather than spending thousands of pounds on what can be achieved if you are rich? The best garden I have ever seen on the chelsea show was one by prisoners which featured a garden shed. The swimming pools and drinks terraces are not for most people. Gardens should be for plants and any features ought to be in proportion to the space, not dominate it. There is too much emphasis on the TV coverage of the show on large gardens. I think that opinion is moving from large shows towards plant fairs. The entrance fee for the public is too high at shows and some of the growers are no longer attending large shows. Pottertons plant fair was well attended and this may be a sign of a changing attitude from the public.

[DaveM]

I think Chelsea is still about plants, though the RHS seem to be more bothered about corporate sponsorship and the BBC obsessing about the show gardens. I enjoyed a great day out at Chelsea on the Monday when it was quiet (quieter than usual I thought) and have also watched the evening TV programmes.  With the exception of Chris Beardshaw's lovely garden, I too did not like the rest of the show gardens, but then few of these ever impress me. Most are just not gardens - sorry if you disagree. More of the artisan gardens were to my taste, especially the one designed by the effervescent Japenese guy. But for me the real delight is the Great Pavilion, which is for the most part all about plants. The sheer diversity of plants, nurseries and gardening interests was incredible, despite I think for some absentees. Sadly for me it's this aspect that I feel the BBC failed miserably to convey to the public by concentrating so irritatingly on the show gardens and on design/designers and by the approach they took to the floral displays - it was as though it was more about the presenters and the nursery people with the plants coming a poor third. Apart from the alpines and bulbs below, stands that stood out for me included those by Kirstenbosch, the incredible Sarracenias (which was highlighted), various orchid displays and the Bonsai.

There were a number of alpine and related displays represented, though the AGS were taking a rest this year. It was great to see that Kevock won Gold again, but I was most pleased for Garry McD from Harperley Hall (great coverage for them on TV too with the visit to the nursery). I have seen their displays at Chelsea for a few years and this was I think their best yet and well deserved their Gold award. Avon Bulbs' stand was also a fabulous display for Gold as was John Amand's (I wonder how many Golds John has now won?). Billy Carruthers and team received a Silver-Gilt for their Peonies and D'Arcy & Everest the same for their alpine troughs.