Chelsea Flower Show

I love watching it on TV but far to much walking for me to actually attend plus it always seems to rain Chelsea week.

"Chelsea Showers Flow " yet again it seems

Enjoy Hyde Hall, one of our regular lunch spots, were there a couple of weeks ago. They are spending a lot of money down at the veg garden end.

There is a superb nursery very close by that is also worth a visit, used to be wholesale only, but now open to all.

bhngardencentre.co.uk/

And don't forget Perrywoods at Tiptree

www.perrywood.co.uk/

Might be in there ourselves. We are having our kitchen floor replaced, so could be eating there every day this week.

My heart goes out to you Pompa

I have been to Chelsea, very crowded. I much prefer to watch Chelsea on TV, you see so much more and learn the back ground of the gardens and plants.

I was intrigued to see the cactus growers from West Bromwich. Such a variety, it's inspired me. x

pompa I used to love Perrywoods especially their hanging baskets of trailing double surfinia which go on all summer well into autumn- and the café is very good too. I miss the golf course at Benton Hall as well and the Tiptree jam factory.

I've only been to Chelsea twice and it poured and poured both times. I'm doing Tatton Park this year for the first time on the Friday - is anyone else going?

We haven't been to Chelsea for fifteen years and certainly wouldn't cope with all the crowds and walking now.

Hyde Hall used to be a regular 'students' day out' when I was studying horticulture. It was a lot smaller in those days so I'm looking forward to a return visit. I shall have plenty of room in the boot for plants!!

Weather not looking good for the week which is a shame as everything looks so much better in the sun. We haven't been for years I hate the crowds and only see a 1/4 of what I would like to see before getting exhausted.
Yes like everyone else watch it on TV and enjoy it and get inspired, mostly by the more naturalistic gardens -I do like the more formal gardens but it isn't enough "garden" for me loads of plants is what I like

Teetime, I might go to Tatton this year as I haven't been there for ages. If I do decide to go I will pm you with my mobile number.

I'm hoping to go to Tatton as well this year. The last time I went (about 15 years ago) i spent a fortune so I had better start saving!

Oh goo we might have a Gransnet meet up- the tickets are cheaper on line.

We are also going to Tatton park, hotel booked.

I've asked on another thread but anyone know where Alan is this year?

He flounced off last year, ruby. I think the Beeb wanted him to share the prime presenting spot (or something like that)

I prefer Monty Don anyway.

I prefer Monty too. I also like the addition of James Wong this year for a bit of eye candy, and knowledgable too!
I have set my recorder for the medal announcements programme on BBC this afternoon. I have not seen much coverage, but tip Dan Pearson for Best in Show.

My vote, for what its worth, goes to James Wong. Not only lovely plants to look at!

Joe Swift is rather sweet. x

The Chelsea website isn't so good now. I used to like looking at the virtual tours of the show gardens as well as the planting plans.

Having said that, the results are up there now and my favourite, The Perfumer's Garden in Grasse has won a gold.

Shows how much I know! Everyone liked Dan Pearson's garden. Glad the Healthy Cities garden got a gold.

Monty is definitely the one for me...and both OH and I love seeing his dog Nigel trotting around the garden - shame he does not bring him to Chelsea.

I am a big fan of Nigel too. A few weeks ago he wasn't shown until nearly the end of the programme, so I found myself getting anxious in case he was ill or worse. Apparently when he was poorly a while back the BBC was inundated with messages.

Yes shysal, I can remember when he was ill...we were watching each week and Monty gave regular updates.

I can remember when Monty used to write gardening articles either in the Observer or Guardian and he used to talk about another dog and then it died that was all a bit traumatic.

We always have lumps in our throats when we see Nigel as he's the image of our lovely golden retriever, Justin, who grew up with our children. He could do all the same tricks and left a huge hole in our lives when he died of old age.

Getting his ginger hair off the carpet was a nightmare though.