Chelsea favourites - Autumn 2021

A much awaited event that got cancelled, then delayed and then happened ( thank goodness ) late September.

So it was on the first day of Autumn we popped on our face masks and embarked on our train journey to Sloane Square.

On the list of must see's were Tom Massey's - Yeo Valley Organic Garden, the Guangzhou Garden which won best in Show for Peter Chmiel and Chin-Jung Chen, Jonathan Snow's Trailfinders 50th Anniversary Garden, and Robert Myers masterpiece - The Florence Nightingale Garden.

Not surprisingly the contractor Bowles & Wyer did themselves proud with the creation of Robert Myers garden, for me this was my favourite, the structural nature of the garden with its incredible pergola was offset by a swathe of soft planting. However, the Judges favoured the Guangzhou Garden, the giant woven gazebo structures here were stunning and were is stark contrast to the tranquil dell setting.

Another show stopper for me was Bodmin Jail: 60 degrees East - A garden between continents. Beautifully executed by Cube 1994 the garden captures the magic of the Ural Mountains, it features plants that can withstand mind blowingly cold temperatures.

In the big pavilion we found an incredible stand, created by Form Plants and incorporating some dramatic urns that caught my eye by Torc which we are now incorporating into one of our garden designs.

The Sanctuary Gardens featured the amazing Finnish Soul Garden with its contemporary Sauna and rocky seaside waters edge, another winner for me was the Boodles Secret Garden with its beautiful planting enclosed by an arresting wooden wall.

Outside on the trade stands I would just love to be able to afford to include one of Hamish Mackie's Sculptures. His Lion and Lioness would look just the ticket in one of our meadows!

We've already booked our return visit next May would you believe! 

Unless of course our good old friend Covid 19 rears its ugly head once more.