granted back in 2017. More plants, more happy plantspeople! I have been lucky to be working in horticultural television throughout the pandemic, firstly and in an on-going capacity on ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend’ with national treasure Alan Titchmarsh and secondly on the RHS flower show coverage for the BBC, which after a long absence, returned in force in 2021.
The Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in early July marked the start of a new post pandemic age, where we rubbed sanitised shoulders with each other once again outside in the fresh air and vast surrounds of the event. Although nervous to be amongst so many people, there was a real vibrancy in atmosphere as every attendee and employee radiated sheer joy. The weather was a little cooler and damper than an average Hampton and thank goodness for wellingtons as mud decided to join the post pandemic party too! A real highlight was the beautiful perennial planting on Tom Stuart Smith’s feature garden, whilst inside the marquee exhibitors embraced (at a 2m distance) each other like long lost friends.
Hot on its horticultural heels, followed the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show, bringing with it scorching sunshine and plenty to see. Borders and displays were brimming with Echinacea, Eryngium and a wealth of pollinator friendly floral faces, including the national collection of monardas (bee balm), being displayed for the first time at the show.
Fast forward to September and not only did we have the delight of the Malvern Show but we also saw the return of Chelsea – the highest profile horticultural event in the world and one which we hadn’t attended since May 2019! The first and probably last Autumn Chelsea, made this a very special event and one which I was honoured to be at the heart of.
In addition to the large show gardens, of which the Guangzhou Garden won best in show, many new categories were introduced, opening up opportunities for many more exhibitors and designers. Two of these, The Balcony and Container gardens, displayed achievable designs in small spaces and were very well
received, with much accolade going to fellow Live24Seven columnist Sara Edwards for her design.
Due to the season, dahlias and chrysanthemums were at their best and our BBC coverage made good use of their colourful addition to our screens. Acers too were out in force and it was a delight to witness Larchfield Trees achieve gold for their display for their first and last Chelsea as they retire from the show circuit.
South-West in Bloom (for which I have recently been appointed a judge) did very well, being honoured with the best display in the Pavilion. Back outside, the new category of House Plant Studios saw 6 structures from Malvern Garden Buildings, filled with a plethora of house plants and each designed by a different team offering themes from the office to the forest to a room filled with bright pink neon and nepenthes! A real horticultural hit with the public and our presenters!
New plants were not backward in coming forward and over 20 nominations were received for the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2021 – I particularly liked a new dwarf fig called ‘Miss Figgy’ but the winner was proclaimed as Cercis canadensis ‘Eternal Flame’ (taken back to my 1980s youth and now singing that well loved Bangles number!). A well-deserved winner with glorious foliage. But one of the most exciting introductions was a world-wide exclusive – the first time that a Sempervivum and Aeonium have ever been crossed to create a new plant called the Semponium, launched by Surreal Succulents in Penzance who I had the joy of visiting for filming in August, this was much talked about and even gifted by Monty to Joe at the end of the week. A real botanical break-through.
As the sun set earlier than in May, a real treat was the illuminated trees on site, created by the same team which light RHS Wisley at Christmas. A real spectacle and sparked an early festivity in this floral fanatic!
It seems appropriate to end on trees as we approach National Tree Week from 27th November. With the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative encouraging us all to plant trees and the Government committing to the England Trees Action Plan 2021- 2024, surely there has rarely been a more positive time for plants.
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