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LIVE 24-SEVEN


bookmark from John Lewis in Cheltenham last week. Horticulture comes into your home!) Our local, Chris Beardshaw is back, blazing in the warmth of having won ‘Best in Show’ last year and big name, Andy Sturgeon returns with his M&G garden. There are also nine Space to Grow gardens, including the Nordic-inspired ‘Art of Viking’ garden from Gloucestershire’s Paul Hervey Brookes and seven Artisan gardens, all with a wide variety of themes from which visitors can take inspiration. My favourite part and indeed the area over which my work is concentrated is The Pavilion. Over 80 exhibitors offer the most fantastic foliage and beautiful blossoms, plus the Discovery Zone tackles a range of interesting botanic topics.


I also await with baited breath the winner of the ‘Plant of the Year’ competition. Last year saw Hydrangea ‘Runaway Bride’ walk away with the top prize, so which plant will be the one on everyone’s list this year I wonder? You’ll have to watch to find out – or indeed come along!


Everyone knows that the Monday (press day) sees many members of our Royal family gracing the gardens and exhibits – indeed HRH The Duchess of Cambridge has actually co-designed the RHS ‘Back to Nature’ garden this year. It also plays host to a cacophony of celebrities who gather mainly at the start of the week, but also throughout, as we often host them for BBC interviews later in the week. So in addition to working with the many splendid gardening presenters on our team, including Herefordshire’s own Monty Don, I have also spent many happy hours with other household names. It was a joy to crystallise violets with Mary Berry and a musical highlight to show Alfie Boe around the site – look out for him at Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe in June. As for Floella Benjamin, I was instantly five again and hoping to journey through the round window after we’d finished talking plants!


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Illuminations after dark are becoming popular and strolling around the grounds late at night (when we are a little quieter) is simply stunning. Book tickets for Chelsea Late on the Friday night and you’ll see what I mean.


Trade stands are a delight and Herefordshire is well represented with the likes of Oak Leaf Gates and Batik by Jane Hickman displaying their goods. I bought one of Jane’s bluebell silk scarves for my Mother at Chelsea 2017 – divine!


Gloucestershire is also preparing to pack for potential purchasers at Chelsea with sculptures from Rupert Till and Christopher Lisney en- route, along with gorgeous illustrated blooms from Jaci Hogan Art.


Do come to Chelsea this year – it’s gardening with a gigantic sprinkling of glamour – I hope to see you there!


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THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE CAMI L LA BAS S E T T - SMI TH


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