Chelsea flower show 09

[Lvandelft]

1 + 2 Some hyacinths - especially for Luit......

Thanks Dave. 
Good to see some more pictures of the Show here and very interesting to see some already showed last week with a different view.

[Maggi Young]

What super photos, David.... looking forward to more when you have the time 

[Lesley Cox]

Super shots and I agree, plants are best, not the outdoor gardens where it seems the fewer plants there are, the higher the points awarded.

[vivienr]

I have been trying all evening to post some Chelsea photos but have had all sorts of computer problems. Hopefully everything will work this time

My trip to Chelsea was on Saturday when it (and the rest of London) was very busy. It took an hour to get from the train at King's Cross to the show so we arrived in a panic that we would not see everything. However we managed to see everything that we wanted to and it was great fun to see the 'sell-off' at the end.

Crowds on Eastern Avenue - a bit busier than on Monday!
Cayeux Iris - Iris were a feature of most of the outside show gardens too.
Jekka's Herbs - no sign of her gnome.
Vertical gardens were also featured in many show gardens.
Cayman Islands Underwater Garden - Winner of the President's Most Creative Award and my favourite.

[Calvin Becker]

Thanks Vivien & Maggie!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Thanks to all the valiant posters - wonderful pictures that give us a good idea of what's going on at Chelsea !

[Carol Shaw]

We'll just have to make sure to get lots of pix. of Gardening Scotland for you all 

[DaveM]

Some more Chelsea images.

1-5: I was also very impressed with the Writhlington School Sikkim orchids project, and not just because the school is not far from where I was born (Bath). Amazing enthusiasm and knowledge combined with excellent communication skills - very worthy of their gold medal.

6. As always at Chelsea there are other educational exhibits, including this one from the British Mycological Society

7. The Kirstenbosch exhibit was magnificent - the curved backdrop had a three-dimensional quality to it - quite stunning.

[DaveM]

A few more orchids

[DaveM]

1- 4: I am always interested in the Bonsai and Roses - these were key interests of my grandfather. he would have been disappointed in the quality of some of the roses and this was I think reflected in the medal awarded.

5-7:  a way with alpine-like plants.......

[DaveM]

And from me, a final miscellany

1.  a not-so-nice tulip
2. Fuchsias - again I felt that these were not up to the usual standard seen.
3. Cornus kuosa
4. Erythronium callifornicum 'Harvington Snowgoose'

Overall my choice of best exhibit in the Grand Pavilion was Jekka's herb garden - a wonderfully arrangement of colours, shapes and shades with such mature looking plants. Enjoyed the bruhaha over the inclusion of a gnome - the reaction was very RHS!! The President's choice of the Caymen Islands underwater garden as most innovative exhibit was a good choice. And congratulations to John Amand for his magnificent display of arisaemas - really stunning.

[Lesley Cox]

I quite like the not so nice tulip, the colour at least, maybe not the fringing, well yes, that too actually and I do like the boots, cups and teapot filled with sempervivums but oh horror, a piddley sheep?

[DaveM]

Cheers, Leslie, I too rather liked the boots, teapot, pots and colander
.... and as for the Pidley Sheep........ how  very observant.

[Lesley Cox]

Well you know NZers Dave. Anything to do with sheep and we're in our element. The extra d was writer's licence.

[vivienr]

After finally (or at least temporarily) beating the Redirect virus that was stopping me posting photos, and putting in an order for a new monitor (yellow gun has packed in so everything is purple), I can wrap things up with my pics of the sell-off on the Saturday.

Waiting for the 4 o'clock bell.
The demolition job... most of the plants had been reserved and paid for but others were more of a scramble. Several exhibitors such as Darcy and Everest alpines did not sell. It was very exciting to watch.

I bought a pot of Narcissus Jonquilla from Broadleigh bulbs which scented the train home. Also the Underwater garden was being sold off by the bagful and I couldn't resist
I also couldn't resist the AGS show offer so carted home a copy of Bryans Bulb book in a neat bag.

Can anyone help me identify my new succulents??