W & S Lockyer Auricula Specialists win Gold at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018

I love to visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, for me this is the most prestigious and exciting event of the horticultural calendar! I enjoy seeing Chelsea’s show gardens of every size and style, I am always interested to discover the latest gardening products, and I really look forward to finding new favourite plants, whilst being reminded of old favourites. I so enjoy visiting Chelsea’s Grand Pavilion, which is filled with over one hundred exhibits created by expert growers, from nurseries that seem to specialise in growing almost every kind of plant.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018

May 31, 2018April, August, Container Gardening, Daffodils, December, Easier Gardening, February, Flowers & Floristry, Glasshouse Growing, Houseplants, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, November, October, Orchids, Pests & Diseases, Places to Visit, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Roses, September, Shows & Events, Urban Outdoors, WildlifeAction Oak, Adam Frost, Alan Titchmarsh, Andrew Loudon, Anne Godfrey, Art, Artisan Garden, Belderbos Landscapes, Bespoke Outdoor Spaces, Best Construction Award, Bronze Medal, Bronze Medal Garden, cacti, Catherine MacDonald, Chris Beardshaw, Chris Beardshaw Ltd, community garden, community gardening, Conway Landscapes, Craig House Cacti, crocus, daffodils, Daisy Roots Nursery, dalefoot composts, david austin roses, David Harber, david neale, Diamond Jubilee Award, floristry, Francesca Murrell, Frogheath Landscapes, Frosts Landscapes, Garden Builders, garden buildings, Garden Club London, garden design, Geraint Richards, Geums, Gill Groombridge, GK Wilson Landscapes, Gold Medal, Gold Medal Garden, Gold Medal Nursery, grow your own cut flowers, Hay Hwang, hedges, Hogarth Hostas, hostas, iris, Jackie Currie, James Doran-Webb, Janine Crimmins, Jim Buttress, Jo Thompson, John Everiss, John Warland, Johnny Walkers, Jonathan Hogarth, Jonathan Snow, Karen Welman, Kate Gould, Kate Gould Gardens, Kate Savill, Kati Crome, Keith Chapman, Landform Consultants, Landscape Associates, Langdale Landscapes, Laura Anstiss, Laurie Chetwood, Lorraine Smith, Louise Batchelor, Lupins, Lupinus 'Desert Sun', Lupinus 'Masterpiece', Mark Gregory, Matt Keightley, Meconopsis, Michael Gove, moss, Neale Richards Limited, Nic Howard, Nicki Chapman, Nicola Spence, Orchid Society of Great Britain, orchids, Ornithogalum, Ornithogalum dubium, Patrick Collins, Paul Hervey-Brookes, Pennard Plants, People's Choice Award, Peter Gregory Landscapes, Peter Johnson, Plant Heritage, Plant Societies, Quercus, Rachel Prior, Randle Siddeley, RDC Landscapes, Rhiannon Williams, Rhododendron 'Fantastica', Rhododendrons, rhs chelsea flower show, RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018, RHSChelsea, Richard Taylor, Robert Barker, Rod Lamborn, Rosa 'Emily Brontë', Rosa 'St Ethelburga', Rosa 'The Mill on the Floss', Rosa 'Tottering-by-Gently', Rosa glauca, roses, Sally Mill, Sarah Eberle, Sarah Price, Show Garden, Silver Medal Silver Medal Garden, Silver-Gilt Medal, Silver-Gilt Medal Garden, Silver-Gilt Medal Nursery, Simon Bland, Simon Lockyer, Sir Harry Studholme, Southfield Nurseries, Space to Grow Garden, specialist nurseries, Stan Griffin, Steve Currie, Stewart Landscape Construction, Stuart Charles Towner, Studio Evans Lane, Sue Johnson, Tamara Bridge, Tom Harfleet, Tom Massey, Tomato 'Oh Happy Day', Tony Kirkham, Tony Woods, Tree House, trees, urban garden, Vegepod, Vicki Newman, w & s lockyer, Walkers at Taylors Bulbs, walls and fences, water featuresPumpkin Beth

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018

The highlight of the horticultural calendar, The Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show is the world’s most prestigious flower show! Over the past three weeks, award winning garden designers from all over the world, together with their teams, made up of some of the best landscape architects, project managers, builders, technicians, horticulturalists, artists and crafts people, have been working solidly to transform the Royal Hospital’s grounds at Chelsea into an oasis of gardening ideas and inspiration!

Hogarth Hostas at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018

May 27, 2018April, August, December, Easier Gardening, Edible Gardening, February, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, November, October, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, September, Shows & Events, Urban OutdoorsHogarth Hostas, Hosta 'Chesieres Yellow Masquerade', Hosta 'Funny Mouse', Hosta 'Green With Envy', Hosta 'Hi Ho Silver', Hosta 'Island Charm', Hosta 'Little Ice Mouse', Hosta 'Lucky Mouse', Hosta 'Mighty Mouse', Hosta 'Mouse Capades', Hosta 'Mystic Mouse', Hosta 'Pixie Vamp', Hosta 'Twist of Lime', Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’, hostas, Independent specialist nursery, Jim Buttress, Jonathan Hogarth, National Plant Collections, Plant Heritage, rhs chelsea flower show, RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018, RHSChelsea, Silver-Gilt Medal, Silver-Gilt Medal Nursery, variegated plants, Wendy CurtisPumpkin Beth

I love to visit the Grand Pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show! This vast arena, which extends to almost three acres in size, is filled with super exhibits created by around one hundred specialist nurseries during the week of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It’s such a joy to visit! If you’re looking for some new plants, and you don’t have a particular variety or species in mind, visiting specialist nurseries, or enjoying a day out at a specialist plant fair, or a flower show, such as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show or the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, can help to connect you with your new favourite plant or plants!

My National Collection of Miniature Aerangis and Angraecum Species

April 12, 2018April, August, BiOrbAir Terrarium Trials, December, February, Glasshouse Growing, Houseplants, Indoor Gardening, Indoor Trials, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, National Collection, November, October, Orchids, September, Sustainable Living, Terrariums & Bottle Gardens, Urban Indoorsaerangis, Alliums, Angraecum, Echium, ferns, hostas, iris, Jackie Currie, Jonathan Hogarth, Julian Reed, Linda Heywood, National Plant Collections, orchids, plant conservation, Plant Guardians, Plant Heritage, Polypodium, rare plants, Sarah CookPumpkin Beth

It may surprise you to know that in the garden, as well as on the catwalk, fashions change and evolve, often quicker than we expect. A plant that’s regarded as a ‘must have’ plant one minute, can soon be taken for granted and neglected, before being cast aside and forgotten the next. Our fast evolving and progressive plant trends could result in the extinction of some of the plants that we once held dear.

My National Collection of Miniature Phalaenopsis

April 11, 2018April, August, BiOrbAir Terrarium Trials, December, February, Houseplants, Indoor Trials, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, National Collection, November, October, Orchidariums, Orchids, September, Sustainable Living, Terrariums & Bottle Gardens, Urban IndoorsNational Plant Collections, orchids, Phalaenopsis, Phalaenopsis honghenensis, Phalaenopsis lobbii, Phalaenopsis micholitzii, Phalaenopsis parishii, Phalaenopsis thailandica, Phalaenopsis wilsonii, plant conservation, Plant HeritagePumpkin Beth

When I was a child, it was my aim that by the time I became an adult I would have saved up sufficient funds to purchase, and forever after protect a beautiful woodland or forest, and at least one meadow! I haven’t succeeded in my aim – I sadly have been unable to protect any of our woodlands, forests, or meadows, but I still feel just as passionately about plant conservation.

Sustainable Gardening Ideas

March 23, 2018April, August, Container Gardening, December, Don't Miss, Easier Gardening, February, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, November, October, Saving Money, September, Sustainable Living, Urban Outdoors, WildlifeAgastache 'Black Adder', Agastache 'Blackadder', bare root planting, bees, birds, butterflies, Calendula officinalis, Centaurea cyanus, Clematis cirrhosa, compost, container gardening, Cosmos bipinnatus 'Cupcakes Blush', crocus, daffodils, Dahlia 'April Heather', Dahlia 'Classic Rosamunde', dahlias, Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill', David A. Bainbridge, Eranthis hyemalis, erigeron karvinskianus, Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve', fallopia japonica, fruit, gardening tools, Geum 'Prinses Juliana', Geum 'Scarlet Tempest', Geums, grass, green roof, hedges, Helianthus annuus, herbs, hoverflies, Impatiens glandulifera, Independent specialist nursery, insects, lavender, lawns, Lonicera x purpusii 'Winter Beauty', mulching, mycorrhizal fungi, National Plant Collections, Nigella damascena 'Double White', Plant Guardians, Plant Heritage, pollination, ponds, Primula vialii 'Alison Holland', recycling, Rehmannia ‘Walberton’s Magic Dragon’, Rhododendron 'Prinses Maxima', Rhododendron ponticum, Rhododendron ‘Orakel’, Rhododendron ‘Sun Star’, Salvia 'Love and Wishes', Salvia nemorosa 'Crystal Blue', sarcococca confusa, school gardening, Sedums, snowdrops, soil, Solidago 'Goldenmosa', sustainable gardening, sustainable living, Symphyotrichum novi-belgii, Tithonia rotundifolia, trees, vegetables, Verbena bonariensis, water features, wild flowers, wildlife gardeningPumpkin Beth

I love our planet, I love plants and nature. I want to protect our environment. I want to live more sustainably. Sustainability is not a new desire for me, it is something that I have always aspired to. Firstly though I must tell you that I am far from perfect, I make mistakes and I am always learning. I want to improve, I want to make changes to live more sustainably and to live ethically.

Gardens Offering Free Entry or Special Offers on Mother’s Day 2018

February 4, 2018Easier Gardening, More Gardening, Other Shows and Events, Places to Visit, Saving Money, Shows & Events, Urban Outdoorsaccessible gardens, accessible places to visit, daffodil events, gardens to visit, gardens with disabled access, Mother's Day, Orchid Society of Great Britain, Plant Heritage, Rebecca Louise Law, RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey, Sussex, The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, West Dean Gardens, winkworth arboretumPumpkin Beth

Mothering Sunday, also known as Mother’s Day, will be held on Sunday 11th March 2018, in the UK. If you’re looking for a special family day out, you might be interested in discovering more about the following gardens and attractions, which are offering free entry to Mothers, or other special offers on Mother’s Day 2018. Some of these Mother’s Day offers differ, so I’ve listed the details of each event for Mother’s Day 2018 offer separately for every venue.

2018 Daffodil Gardens and Events

January 31, 2018Daffodils, Other Shows and Events, Places to Visit, Urban Outdoorsaccessible gardens, accessible places to visit, daffodil events, daffodils, gardens to visit, gardens with disabled access, Hampshire, Narcissus 'Emperor', Narcissus 'Empress', Narcissus 'Weardale Perfection', National Plant Collections, Plant Heritage, RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey, Sussex, tetraploid, The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, West Dean Gardens, William Backhouse, winkworth arboretumPumpkin Beth

Daffodils are such cheerful flowers, heralding the start of springtime, they are a joy to behold. There are many different varieties of daffodils, so consequently you can find daffodils flowering from as early as December until late May, and beyond in cooler areas of the country. Which is wonderful, as it provides us with plenty of time to enjoy and appreciate the daffodil’s beauty!

2018 Specialist Plant Fairs, Festivals, Sales, and Swaps

January 1, 2018Don't Miss, Easier Gardening, Other Shows and Events, Places to Visit, Saving Money, Shows & Events, Urban Outdoorsaccessible gardens, accessible places to visit, Alpine Garden Society, Anne Godfrey, Carnivorous Plant Society, carnivorous plants, Daisy Roots Nursery, Fergus Garrett, ferns, Forde Abbey, Fritillaria Group, gardens to visit, gardens with disabled access, Gilbert White's House and Garden, Great Comp Gardens, Great Dixter, Hampshire, Independent specialist nursery, Loseley Park, National Vegetable Society, Orchid Society of Great Britain, Plant Heritage, Plant Societies, RHS Garden Harlow Carr, RHS Garden Hyde Hall, RHS Garden Rosemoor, RHS Garden Wisley, RHSChelsea 2018, RHSHampton 2018, seed swaps, Surrey, Sussex, Toby Buckland, West Dean GardensPumpkin Beth

Happy new year! Happy new plants – what a great idea! Here are the details of many local plant sales, fetes, festivals, sales, swaps, and other super opportunities to buy wonderful, locally grown plants at fantastic prices, or even to swap plants or seeds for free! Great quality, rare, hard to find, special, and unusual plants can be found at the specialist plant fairs and other events that I have listed for you below, in this my 2018 Calendar of Specialist Plant Fairs, Festivals, Sales, and Swaps.

Jackie Currie, Alliums, and the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2017

October 2, 2017April, August, Container Gardening, December, Edible Gardening, February, Flowers & Floristry, Interviews, January, July, June, March, May, More Gardening, November, October, RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, September, Urban Outdoors, Vantage Point, WildlifeAllium acutiflorum, Allium angulosum, Allium cernuum, Allium cernuum 'White Dwarf', Allium cernuum 'White Max', Allium chrysanthum, Allium crenulatum, Allium cristophii, Allium geyeri, Allium giganteum, Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’, Allium jesdianum 'Early Emperor', Allium ledebourianum, Allium lenkoranicum, Allium nutans, Allium nutans 'Esmee', Allium paniculatum 'Red Dwarf Form', Allium regalii, Allium senescens, Allium senescens 'Meise', Allium sphaerocephalon, Allium thunbergii, Allium tuberosum, Allium wallichii, Allium zebdanense, Allium ‘Eros', Alliums, Allium 'Summer Drummer', Allium paradoxum var. normale, Allium ‘Ambassador', compost, Dilys Davis, Euphorbia Design, Independent specialist nursery, iris, Jackie Currie, Lorraine Smith, National Plant Collections, Nepeta, Plant Heritage, RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2017, RHSHampton, Salvia, Silver-Gilt Medal, Silver-Gilt Medal NurseryPumpkin Beth

Inside the Floral Marquee at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2017, I met Jackie Currie, a passionate Allium expert and Garden Designer from Surrey. The RHS judges presented Jackie with a Silver-Gilt Medal, for her first ever exhibit at Hampton Court, which featured a selection of Alliums, from Jackie Currie’s National Collection of Alliums.

Beth: Congratulations on your beautiful Allium exhibit and your success here at Hampton Court Jackie!