Cotswold gardens are generally big on herbaceous perennials so I love the chance to see something a bit different. The Great Pavilion at RHS Chelsea 2017 didn’t disappoint.
From specialist collections by expert growers to striking floristry and innovative ways to display plants, there was plenty to see this year.
Here are just some of the things that caught my eye.
The waterlilies on Waterside Nursery’s stand were serenely floating amidst all the bustle of the show.
And I loved the shaggy heads of this Eriophorum angustifolium, a British native.
The orchid display by the Eric Young Orchid Foundation was attracting a lot of attention. This is Paphiopedilum ‘Saint Saviour’.
There were some interesting ideas for plant displays. This is a ‘living wall’ of thyme created by using Wonderwall planters.
Or how about these ideas for house plants?
It was put together by Indoor Garden Design and Ikea.
I loved the idea of hanging plants. This was above a bed.
And this makes a change from a budgie.
The British Florist Association is celebrating a century of flowers and this display was put together by floristry tutors and students at Moreton Morrell in Warwickshire.
As usual, the Birmingham City Council stand was eye-catching.
The Interflora exhibit had a lot of cameras out.
Of course, if it’s Chelsea there have to be roses. This is Peter Beales’ display.
The delicacy of ‘The Fairy’ is a change from the larger blooms I generally see.
This is also a beauty – ‘Rose Ball’.
I’m planting lots more dahlias this year and, looking at the National Chrysanthemum Society’s stand, I may be branching out into those as well. This is ‘Vanilla Sorbet’.
I also fell in love with Fibrex Nurseries’ new yellow pelargonium ‘Rushmoor Amazon’.
Gardens may have moved on from tulips but I couldn’t resist photographing this on Avon Bulbs’ exhibit. It’s ‘Hemisphere’.
And I love iris but seem to have mainly purple. These from Cayeux are definitely on my shopping list!
• RHS Chelsea 2017 the show gardens in pictures