Chelsea

Nature is a wonderfully life affirming thing.  A metaphor for good conquering evil and the sun shining quite literally after all the rain – and of course who could forget the snow – of this past winter.  With just a little bit of love and TLC, those hidden gems under your frozen soil will delight you once again.

And where better to experience the very best nature has on offer than at Chelsea Flower Show.  To visit Chelsea really is a tonic for the soul.  Forget the angst of  transport, parking, sore feet and loos, and just lose yourself in the magic that has been all those exhibitors dreams all through our dark winter months.  Whether you meander through the show gardens desperately racking your brains for the name of the plant that reminds you of tea at your grandmother’s house, or enthuse over mammoth celery heads and leeks so large they must have been fed on viagra, there is something for everyone, even if you hate getting your hands dirty.  Stylish furniture, Indian parasols, pit fires, fabulous contemporary statuary and even a humble ball of garden twine are all on offer to prise your credit card from your bag, so arrive early, stay late and be prepared to spend.

In my next life I want to be a paeony.  The fabulous plants appear to have had no less than an ayurvedic massage and oxygen facial to get them buffed and preened and Chelsea ready.  Just imagine diving into a huge marshmallow cloud surrounded by cool, green, lush foliage and you have an idea of how your imagination will run away with you and leave you brimming with ideas long after you have left SW3 far behind.  My favourites at Chelsea are always the show gardens and the courtyard gardens in Ranelagh Gardens.  These designers are beyond clever – so much to see in such a small space, and each has the ability to convey a special message.  Can you even imagine building a fully working lock in a garden a similar size to that of an average family home?  And those wonderful gracious ladies from the Cameroons who came to Chelsea to build their native house are inspirational. 

Of course any event is not without its fashion – come here too for the best and worst!  The full cowboy regalia, complete with jangly boots, stonewashed mini mini, fringes and too, too orange legs would frighten even the hardiest plants.  Stick to cool and comfortable – linen timeless and just throw over a cardi as the sun goes down. 

And if you’ve left it too late to go this year, make a date in your diary now for 2011.  You won’t regret it.

marigold xxx (probably the only one at Chelsea!)