Making Meadows

Meadows present a natural, seemingly effortless beauty, with an undeniable allure.  For the most part, meadow guardians save much of the energy that gardeners spend repeatedly mowing and maintaining traditional lawns.  Nevertheless, meadows are not an easy option; creating a meadow requires endeavour, careful planning, and time, to ensure success.

Perennial meadow plants

Our native British, perennial meadow plants flourish in poor soils, where they grow contentedly alongside sedately-growing, fine-leaved grasses. 

I cherish every special, magical moment when I meet a person with whom I share a deep connection and enjoy a true and meaningful, lasting friendship.  One such fellow, whom I am very fortunate to call a close friend, is the horticulturist, broadcaster, journalist, author, plantsman and nature lover, John Negus.  John is a truly wonderful man, he is an expert gardener and horticulturist; John never fails to inspire me! 

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017 featured five new Show Gardens – The Radio 2 Feel Good Gardens, designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Radio 2.  Each of the Radio 2 Feel Good Gardens depicts one of the five senses and is named after a Radio 2 presenter.  I met up with Garden designer Matt Keightley to learn more about the textural garden he designed for Jeremy Vine.

The Morgan Stanley Garden was designed by Chris Beardshaw, and built by Chris Beardshaw Ltd, for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017.  I met Chris Beardshaw at The Morgan Stanley Garden, where I was interested to learn more about this show garden.

Firstly, here is some information about this Show Garden, but read on for a mini interview with Garden Designer, Chris Beardshaw himself!