Gransnet forums

Gardening

🌷 Chelsea Flower Show 🌷

(35 Posts)
Millie22 Tue 21-May-24 11:47:49

Is anyone watching this?

Some interesting gardens this year. Monty as usual was in his ill fitting suit!

Skydancer Tue 28-May-24 19:24:41

Monty always looks a mess as if he is an odd shape. But he is a gardener so I don’t expect he’s too bothered about clothes. I agree with whoever said that Hampton Court is much better. Chelsea is too crowded with few places to sit down. But it’s lovely to watch and such a pleasant change from all the doom and gloom on TV. I also agree that Beechgrove is very good. Just ordinary people doing ordinary gardening. 👩‍🌾

Tiley Tue 28-May-24 16:42:53

I like the way he dresses casually, yes a bit creased but then he has nothing to prove and as long as he feels comfortable that is all that matters.

Tiley Tue 28-May-24 16:41:16

I like the way he dresses, yes a bit creased, like me.

Willow73 Mon 27-May-24 08:57:19

I’ve been to all the flower shows and by far the best is Malvern.
We make a weekend of it staying somewhere cheap nearby (you have to book early). We go to a National Trust or English Heritage property on one day and then the show another day.
There’s lots of room to walk around comfortably and beautiful views to admire when sitting to eat and drink.
Always come home with something for our now beautiful garden.

farview Mon 27-May-24 08:45:25

I actually love the way that Monty dresses....scarves and all...
I think I would rather watch it on t.v as it is so so crowded....loved Anne Marie Powell's garden..

knspol Sat 25-May-24 21:49:01

Have been to Chelsea a few times now and found it really hard work with the crowds. Very difficult to get a good view of the gardens with so many people there and of course you can't walk around them as the presenters do in fact you get a much better view of them on the TV.
Agree about Monty's suit, what a shambles, didn't fit at all especially on the shoulders and those silly scarves he insists on wearing a throwback to the sixties and did anybody notice his scruffy shoes? I preferred it when Alan Titchmarsh was the main presenter.

Spencer2009 Sat 25-May-24 16:32:21

Get sick of celebrities being at Chelsea, it’s not about them.

merlotgran Sat 25-May-24 16:16:18

I loved the clip showing Martin and Shirley Kemp’s beautiful garden but was horrified when Martin said he always gardens in white even if he gets really muddy and changes his clothes several times a day. This means their washing machine and tumble drier are both usually running four times a day every day!! 😮😮

I’d like to think he was joking but I’m not so sure.

Aldom Sat 25-May-24 15:19:57

shysal what a great idea. I will keep a note of the plant pots. They will make perfect gifts. Thank you for sharing.

Witzend Sat 25-May-24 13:07:18

For my money, the Hampton Court flower show is far preferable. You see the same sort of things and there is infinitely more space - Chelsea can feel very crowded - and it’s likely to be considerably warmer.

I’ve been to Chelsea several times - we used to be lucky enough to get free tickets - so I once took a colleague who’d never been. It was cold and raining and we couldn’t find anywhere undercover to have lunch, unless we were willing to wait for an hour and a half. The big marquees were absolutely heaving with people trying to stay out of the rain - it was so warm and humid inside - just as well it was several years pre COVID., We ended up leaving early - I was so disappointed on the friend’s behalf.

25Avalon Sat 25-May-24 12:59:13

Joseann

^Can’t stand the theatrical gestures of Joe Swift. Does he sleep in his hat? Is it superglued to his head?^
He was starting to really irritate me too 25Avalon. He kept interrupting Sophie R, so full of his own importance.

Quite

Joseann Sat 25-May-24 12:36:33

Can’t stand the theatrical gestures of Joe Swift. Does he sleep in his hat? Is it superglued to his head?
He was starting to really irritate me too 25Avalon. He kept interrupting Sophie R, so full of his own importance.

madeleine45 Sat 25-May-24 11:42:23

I couldnt walk around even if someone gave me a ticket,so do watch on tv, but I wish that there was more gardens , less celebs, but wish they could show some of the other gardens. Obviously the winners will get a lot of attention , but there are other gardens that I would have loved to have a look at. Maybe they could have a little raffle of the numbers of the other gardens and have a chance to look at more variety?

Millie22 Sat 25-May-24 11:33:40

Oh hecky chill out. Think nice calming thoughts 🌸

Avalon
I agree as I like Beechgrove too.

mabon1 Sat 25-May-24 11:21:43

Oh, for goodness sake, it's a flower show not a fashion parade. When you are as good a gardener as Monty then you will be invited and be able to
show off you best frock!!!!!!

25Avalon Sat 25-May-24 11:21:02

Can’t stand the theatrical gestures of Joe Swift. Does he sleep in his hat? Is it superglued to his head?

Like GSM not liking Gardeners World except for Monty Don - an hour is too long so it drags. Now enjoying Beechgrove which is packed with information and half hour passes in 10 minutes.

deedeedum Sat 25-May-24 11:15:59

The Chelsea Flower Show will feature on his Friday night programme next week.

Juicylucy Sat 25-May-24 11:09:26

I went on Thursday with my daughters spectacular as usual. Monty looked great. So busy. The afternoon tickets seem very popular from 3-8pm plenty of time to still see everything. Also shops on Kings rd are fantastic called Chelsea in bloom and it’s free to wander around. 🌸🌸

Chocolatelovinggran Fri 24-May-24 11:08:18

They do sell tickets to common people, however. I went once.

J52 Fri 24-May-24 10:03:15

I always look forward to watching Chelsea. I’ve been a couple of times, but it’s so hard to see the gardens in any detail and it seems to be full of corporate ‘Hooray Henry’s’ drinking. I now prefer to watch on TV and get up close and hear the philosophies behind the designs.
The other RHS garden shows are far more relaxed.

shysal Fri 24-May-24 09:48:25

I have ordered one of the self watering plant pots which won a prize at Chelsea for being an innovative and eco friendly product. It is a clever design. They would make a nice present.
potr.co/?syclid=cfbe2307-57a5-4b84-965c-556fe8b0e6a0

Redhead56 Fri 24-May-24 09:36:13

I don’t think celebs should be given tickets for free probably only done to attract celeb watchers. I love gardening I do as much as I can well as much as my joints allow now. I watch any gardening show have since watching Percy Thrower with my dad as a youngster. It’s good to hear the talented work carries on as the gardens are taken elsewhere after the show to be enjoyed.

Joe and Monty may have ruffled a few feathers with their comments about the judges overall decision. They are entitled to their opinions as we all are we don’t all have to agree. It’s a show to be enjoyed by all garden enthusiasts or not.

Elrel Thu 23-May-24 21:29:17

For many years my daughter has treated me to a lovely day at Chelsea. This year I had to reluctantly admit that my mobility wouldn’t be up to it. Naturally I am glued to the tv coverage! My daughter enjoyed her visit on Tuesday in spite of the incessant rain. She especially liked the children's garden and the Octavia Hill one. Me, I had a young man just setting up as a gardener to visit. I so appreciate his doing all the tasks I can no longer manage. He can definitely come again! Yesterday I happened to find a children’s metal garden tool set in a charity shop which delighted the two small neighbours who love to help their mother, and me, in our gardens.

merlotgran Wed 22-May-24 10:42:27

I’ve usually picked a favourite show garden by now but they’re all much of a muchness. At least there’s more colour this year compared to last when I think rewilding went a bit too far.

My DD will be pleased that copper seems to be in vogue. She spent all last Sunday copper leafing a large plant pot. Now eagerly watching for verdigris. 😂

Millie22 Tue 21-May-24 17:29:52

I would love to go but the tickets are soooo much.