RHS Chatsworth

It’s been a busy old time here this past month… in fact it’s a busy old season for us! We are touring garden show after garden show, heading out to source vintage items, making metal work and the online orders are still coming in thick and fast. To say it’s been hard work is an understatement and to top it all off the poor allotment is being pushed right to the back of the queue. We haven’t had the time to plant certain seedlings out, weed or actually sit back and enjoy the garden in it’s prime growing season which makes me a little sad. There are days when the stress of everything really gets to me but that all melts away when we hear customers saying ‘This is my favourite stall at the show!’.

Even though it’s been extremely hard work the shows have been amazing and we arrived back from RHS Chatsworth at 3am Monday morning. So far this has been my favourite show even despite the rain and Autumnal weather we had!

We usually arrive early every morning to re-stock the stand, tidy it up and have a cup of tea. Which usually gives us ample time to have a quick look around at the other stands and the show gardens, once the gates open we don’t have the time to wander off.

The show garden’s were an absolute treat at Chatsworth and I wanted to take the time to share all my favourite parts with you. There was so much inspiration hidden in every garden, some ideas I even want to include up the allotment in the future.

I loved the wildness of the planting in all the gardens, it seems to be a popular theme this year at the RHS shows. A look that could be seen in any garden throughout the UK and of course great for the wildlife too. I loved the idea of having a wild meadow on the roof of your shed and this little shelter looked like the perfect space to surround yourself with nature. I also really liked the use of paving slabs in the gardens and I was particularly drawn to the wooden pathway with gravel in between. Although I could just imagine the scent that a creeping chamomile lawn would give off every time your foot would brush against it! Of course the saying ‘Find Yourself’ struck a chord with me and I would guess a lot of other people too. I always find myself in the garden, it’s the one place I can escape to and truly be myself which is so important.

One of my favourite gardens had to be the Wedgwood Garden designed by Jamie Butterworth. The planting and colour scheme was just delightful and so natural, you could easily step into that garden and instantly feel at home. In fact I could just see myself sitting at that table in the Summer surrounded by family and good food!

My all time favourite garden? Well it had to be the RHS Garden for Wildlife: Wild Woven designed by Sharon Hockenhull of course! Everything about this garden just appealed to me, the large pond, the wildflower meadows, the bug hotels and the carefuly mown pathways… it was heaven. And the best thing about it? It really looked like an actual garden that people actually lived in! It could easily be replicated and there were so many little ideas that could be re-created at home or up the allotment. I for one came away feeling so inspired with lot’s of mental notes to use myself. It was a haven for both humans and wildlife and it truly felt like home.

There was plenty to look at throughout the show and the Floral marquee was jam packed with beautiful plants and displays. I was actually very well behaved when it came to buying plants and simply took notes of the ones I liked until I had the specific area ready for planting. The outside stalls were also a delight and I also made a big note to purchase more alliums from the Petrichor bulb specialists at the next show. I did however treat myself to a few new things… a new Water Forget-me-not plant for the pond, some handmade soap and hand cream from the Kentish Soap Company and I also commissioned the amazing Vincent Trading to make me a sign for the shed!

I feel extremely lucky to be able to visit all these beautiful garden shows and to have the time to look around them quickly before they open to the public. It’s so easy to get caught up in the stress of everything, like I said it’s a busy season and I’m really struggling to get everything done. The blog, Youtube Videos and social media have been so quiet lately and even though I’d love to focus on them 100% I can’t right now, the business takes priority and unfortunately it does come down to money… So please bear with me.

We have toured 6 shows so far with another 5 left to go, the next being at Woburn Abbey on the 22nd and 23rd of June. Then it’s the big one… RHS Hampton Court Flower Festival! We’d love to see some friendly faces there!