This is it!
Post categories: Sally Nex
| 08:36 UK time, Monday, 19 May 2008
This is it! Today is the day the finished gardens are unveiled for the first time to an audience of the world's media, invited guests and later on, Her Majesty the Queen. And, of course, the RHS judges, who will be inspecting every show garden, large and small, as well as every exhibitor's stand in the Great Pavilion and awarding those all-important medals.
The press tent is mayhem this morning - over a thousand journalists, photographers and cameraman from all over the world descend on Chelsea on this day alone, so by 7.30am nearly all seats are taken. On press day the old hands resort to all sorts of undignified tactics, turning up super-early to snaffle a much-prized locker or cornering an electrical socket before the photographers, who seem to have so much equipment they could start a small shop. By lunchtime it'll be standing room only, and I'll avoid coming in here unless I absolutely have to.
There are plenty of excuses to get out, after all: this is the day Chelsea is 'the' place to be, glittering with celebrities and simply oozing glamour. The Great Pavilion is right at the heart of the action: new plants will be launched by TV stars, and this year the entire British yachting team will be gracing the stand at Hilliers, who are aiming for their 63rd gold in a row this year.
I'll be making a beeline for my favourite exhibitor's stands, as today they'll reveal their treasures for the first time. Top of the list is Avon Bulbs - I've never yet come away without a new must-have plant to add to my list. I'll also stop by Knoll Gardens to see their new Pennisetum, and the vividly tropical displays from the City of Durban, Grenada and the Cayman Islands.
There are plenty of excuses to get out, after all: this is the day Chelsea is 'the' place to be, glittering with celebrities and simply oozing glamour. The Great Pavilion is right at the heart of the action: new plants will be launched by TV stars, and this year the entire British yachting team will be gracing the stand at Hilliers, who are aiming for their 63rd gold in a row this year.
I'll be making a beeline for my favourite exhibitor's stands, as today they'll reveal their treasures for the first time. Top of the list is Avon Bulbs - I've never yet come away without a new must-have plant to add to my list. I'll also stop by Knoll Gardens to see their new Pennisetum, and the vividly tropical displays from the City of Durban, Grenada and the Cayman Islands.
Comment number 1.
At 19th May 2008, Fergus Cooper wrote:I am very excited to be going to The Chelsea Flower Show for the 1st time tomorrow in all the 28 years I been living in London. I had a look around various gardens (virtually, that is) - they look amazing. Congratulations to all the designers for their hardwork.
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