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- Photo: Nick / Wikimedia Commons
For five days in May every year, people gather around the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea for the world’s biggest gardening event. The Chelsea Flower show is held by many to be the most important event in the gardening year, and sets trends worldwide. You may think you know everything you need to know about this gardening show, but here are some interesting facts that might surprise you.
Lily Allen’s lily
There’s a lily named after actress Lily Allen. It’s a vivid orange flower with a stroke of black that’s officially named Popstar. But you can ask for Lily Allen at your garden centre, and they’ll know exactly what you’re looking for.
Ancient trees
The Kebony – Naturally Norway garden has a 60-year-old pine, but according to L’Occitane, the olive tree in their Provençal garden could be the oldest tree at the Chelsea Flower Show – they reckon it could be up to 400 years old.
Fosters and flowers
The Trailfinders Australian garden, featuring the best of Australian horticulture at the Chelsea Flower Show, features a pool and a wet bar you can swim up to, is stocked only with Fosters.
Celery, of all things
Medwyn Williams, the king of celery and cruciferous vegetables (he is a 10 time gold medal winner for his vegetables), and chairman of the National Vegetable Society, says his specimens wouldn’t normally be ready until August. The hard winter hasn’t been good for sweetcorn and Brussels sprouts, either, according to him.
Welcome… to Yorkshire
The Yorkshire region is being promoted by Welcome to Yorkshire, with a surprising rhubarb crumble and custard garden. Rhubarb, the signature food of the north, is planted in a bowl with custard yellow sedums that overflow. There is a drystone wall for the topping, and an oak seat is shaped like a great spoon.
If you’re an avid gardener and you haven’t managed to secure a ticket to the Chelsea Flower Show this year, don’t put your garden equipment away for lack of inspiration. The show can be followed online here.
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