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Post by oldbean on May 21, 2007 10:38:30 GMT
I am very excited today as I am off with my mate Valerie to Chelsea tomorrow. I have not gone for the last couple of years as it was sooo crowded.
The only thing is I know I will be posting on Wednesday about how depressed I am after seeing what can be done...
Now what shall I bring back... sweet peas, herbs, auriculas?
Oooh I am so excited... and just needed to share.
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Post by revmichael on May 21, 2007 11:04:44 GMT
Have a great time Old Bean. We haven't been for several years - the crowds are a bit difficult to cope with. We have sometimes switched our allegiance to the Hampton Court Flower Show because you can move around a bit easier there.
Nevertheless, please have a great time and tell us all about it when you get back - exhausted, no doubt.
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Post by lily on May 21, 2007 11:31:42 GMT
Must admit we do Hampton Court every year and only once tried Chelsea. The crowds where too much and hardly anywhere to sit. Maybe that's changed now, but I like the fact you can buy stuff at HC, often cheaper than in a garden centre.
That said I know people who love Chelsea, so have a fab time Old Bean ;D
xxx
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Post by Fi on May 21, 2007 13:05:11 GMT
I'm green with envy! I've been an RHS member for 10 years now thanks to a very nice birthday present from my sister in law, but I've never been able to get down to Chelsea for one reason or another. Do enjoy yourself Old Bean!
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Post by adamzappel on May 21, 2007 13:13:18 GMT
Have a great time Old Bean. We haven't been for several years - the crowds are a bit difficult to cope with. We have sometimes switched our allegiance to the Hampton Court Flower Show because you can move around a bit easier there. Nevertheless, please have a great time and tell us all about it when you get back - exhausted, no doubt. I hear there is a very good Flower Show in Bracknell. It's on right now at the Bentley Centre. Famous for its display of David Austin roses apparently!
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Post by revmichael on May 21, 2007 13:18:22 GMT
Have a great time Old Bean. We haven't been for several years - the crowds are a bit difficult to cope with. We have sometimes switched our allegiance to the Hampton Court Flower Show because you can move around a bit easier there. Nevertheless, please have a great time and tell us all about it when you get back - exhausted, no doubt. I hear there is a very good Flower Show in Bracknell. It's on right now at the Bentley Centre. Famous for its display of David Austin roses apparently! Yes, and the entrance is free - and you get a nice cup of tea (and possibly a biscuit as well). Seriously, at the moment most of the roses are coming out and are a picture. Sadly when the Bracknell in Bloom people come round - at the end of July - most of the roses are having a rest.
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Post by Tigger on May 21, 2007 16:13:47 GMT
I have never been to the Chelsea Flower Show myself. I know I will be glued to the screen and will watch all the coverage (in fact I think I will check out the BBC website too...)
I am thinking of going to the Tatton Park Show later in the season. I have heard it is very impressive but not as crowded as Chelsea.
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Post by Suzy R Sopham on May 21, 2007 18:30:40 GMT
I went to the Shrewsbury Flower Show a few years ago and that was brilliant. Luckily, we went on the last day so got some real bargains at the end of the day.
My only regret was not buying a standard fuschia I saw called Sabrina (the name of my Niece). By the time I had made a decision it had been sold!
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Post by lily on May 22, 2007 6:07:26 GMT
I went to the Shrewsbury Flower Show a few years ago and that was brilliant. Luckily, we went on the last day so got some real bargains at the end of the day. My only regret was not buying a standard fuschia I saw called Sabrina (the name of my Niece). By the time I had made a decision it had been sold! Oh Sooz...the times I've ummed and ahhed over something at Hampton!!! I've now got a fold up barrow thingy and tell myself when it's full, that's it ;D
xxx
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Post by Janglers on May 22, 2007 6:53:48 GMT
Hope you have a great time Old Bean. I was watching Chelsea on the tele yesterday and I think I would have to bring a few of the new roses home.
Talking about crowds, I haven't been since the show was exetended to a week long. I too, don't go anymore because of the crowds. Let us know what it is like Old Bean.
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Post by lily on May 25, 2007 6:21:31 GMT
Hope you have a great time Old Bean. I was watching Chelsea on the tele yesterday and I think I would have to bring a few of the new roses home. Talking about crowds, I haven't been since the show was exetended to a week long. I too, don't go anymore because of the crowds. Let us know what it is like Old Bean. Have they changed it now Jangs? The one time I went, not only was it like sairdines in there you couldn't buy anything!!!
How was it Old Bean?
xxx
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Post by oldbean on May 25, 2007 13:39:19 GMT
Well team it was fantastic! I met up with my chum Valerie at Waterloo... she was half an hour early because she was so excited! Jumped on the tube to Sloane Square spotting our fellow gardeners and picking out the social gardeners (we, of course, were the real thing).
I held Valerie back when she spotted her first Chelsea pensioner, as i explained to her we would see lots during the day and we should try and find one that we could catch!
Then we hit the rows of shops on the way to the Floral Tent but we did not stop. I always try to go to the tent first as it is practically empty and you can really talk to the people on the stands. The Auriculas were lovely but the stand was a little disappointing this year although we did like the men in the bowler hats.
Matthewman Sweet peas took my breath away, with the perfume and the long stems... just three very small packs honest! The overseas country stands were fantastic... Trinidad & Tobago hot and succulent, South Africa - marvelous and you suddenly realised how many of their plants that you see in floral displays over here eg, the Bird of Paradise. Best stand was NS&I which showed nothing but British fruit, veg and flowers but so cunningly displayed you would look at something and think, "that can't be, yes it's an aubergine in with the irises"
We worked our way solidly through the tent and then out to the Seafood and champagne tent for lunch (Valerie is 50 later this month so it was my treat!)
For the afternoon, it was the show gardens and Valerie was still on the hunt for Alan Titchmarsh, she would not make do with Chris and Joe. Hidecote was beautiful and you felt it could be moved into your own garden. Fortnum and Masons was a symphony in colour... not so sure about the Laurent Perrier.
Of the roof gardens the most exciting and quirky was the roof garden with found objects... I actually took away ideas from the display and it made everyone smile who was looking at it.
Chelsea was well worth the visit... I have found a new way to display my alpines... I will post a picture if it works well. I fell in love with some penstemons and the colour palate is moving to darker shades... cocoa coloured irises, purple and chocolate coloured peppers, muted sherbet colours... still lots of grasses but the flowers are moving back to the centre rather than just structural plants to make a statement.
... tomorrow I am trimming back my lawn from the garden path, planting some new antirrhynums, some rather lovely alpines and hacking back the geraniums and violets who seem to think that only they need room in my border!
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Post by territalks on May 25, 2007 14:26:32 GMT
Hi Old Bean What a lovely description of Chelsea. I listen to the BBC's coverage, I hate crowds so probably would be unable to go but well done you. Love TT xxxx
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