Much as I enjoy Chelsea!!

I have watched one of the Chelsea Show progs so far......recorded and will watch them all......but more and more I realise the falseness of it all.
Huge money spent, money no object, and any plant, shrub, tree etc that is wanted is supplied and planted. Spring flowerers with summer flowerers too.
To me this is not real gardening.....a fantastic spectacle yes but not how plants really grow in our gardens. Foxgloves displayed straight as a die assisted by hidden metal bars for example without the slightest bend of stem or imperfection.
The Great Pavillion though is marvellous .....where the plants themselves are the stars!
Or am I being too cynical?
I will watch and enjoy the programmes though

 

My friend got the old gold at the Cardiff show twice if my memory serves me well and that gave her a good income from jobs she acquired from the advertising.
She’s now into art and jewellery and has moved away from the garden design work.
I’m not that into Chelsea, I’ve known a few involved but it’s not my cup of tea.

 

In past years, it was a good time to invest in concrete suppliers, Dairmuid Gavin used so much of it in his gardens.

 

Agree, and have never really watched apart from clips in the news. I certainly have some stunningly bent foxgloves!!

 

Yes I agree @Doghouse Riley ...I suppose the clue is in the name,Chelsea flower 'Show'...
I personally don't see the gardens are very practical for 'normal' living.John Bishop when interviewed by Joe Swift summed it up rather well..."Although the gardens are fascinating it's a bit like having white carpets that you daren't walk on"...or words to that effect..but of course I understand it's all about the designers and construction companies and the growers that are there to showcase their wares .It's all great stuff and interesting viewing but doesn't really give the real picture..Having said all that It's a treat to see more gardens on the TV.

 

I suppose there are different ways of looking at it. If I were to go, I’d be looking for ideas, and admiring what can be achieved.

 

Oh, I thought it was about faded celebrities, like old tich and co., crawling around royalty.

And those set piece gardens never have appealed to me.

I'd probably enjoy looking around the stands of plants.

BTW, how much is it to get in?

 

Reassuringly expensive, probably

 

£107 I've been informed!!!!!!!!!

 

What they are creating are "living paintings," or, "a snapshot in time," not practical gardens.
Most would be impossible to maintain. Give 'em a couple of weeks and they'd be looking quite tatty.

 

It's £107 for an all-day ticket - but there are cheaper ones, starting from £37, if you go later in the day: Tickets for RHS Chelsea Flower Show

I haven't been for some years. I agree with others that the show gardens have annoyingly little to do with real gardening. Usually too it's impossible to get anywhere near the big ones because of all the other people standing gawping - so you get a much better idea of those from the telly, in any case. But like @Freddy says there are ideas to be had, especially in the smaller ones which usually are easier to see properly too because they draw fewer punters.

Like @Verdun my favourite bit was always the Great Pavilion with the specialist growers. Lots of truly wonderful plants! That's the section that should appeal to virtually any real gardener....

 

£67 actually for the Thursday.

I am going this year and am really looking forward to it with a passion.
I used to go when Carol Kline used to exhibit .......
Without doubt it is show business almost unreal.
In Chris Beardshaws garden that fabulous bent conifer proberbly cost 10 grand and another 10 to get it there but he was saving the world by using electric diggers.
I am saying ,it is what it is love it or hate it ,it is spectacular ,it is art .............I love it.

 

My wife has just dragged me in to show me a "new" clematis (according to the presenter), being shown in the BBC's Chelsea programme.

It's called Crystal Fountain.

Err..
Taylor's Clematis have been selling it this year, it's £15.

Crystal Fountain

 

A friend of mine is a volunteer at the show - has been for a few years. He was sending amusing Facebook mutterings about the celebs when on duty on Monday and he thought the gardens this year pretty ho hum - especially the one 'designed' by the royal. However some gorgeous stuff in the main pavilion - the proteas, lupins...
I haven't been for over 25 years because it became so crowded. I like Hampton Court because there is so much room (and you can buy plants!)

 

I've never been to Chelsea and kept saying I would but the more and more I see it on tv the less I want to go....heaving and full of celebrities...not my scene. I do love to go to Hampton Court and last year went Tatton for the first time and this year mum and I are going Chatsworth. The smaller ones are much much better. I don't spend much time in the show gardens but I do have a look to pick up some inspiration and ideas that I could bring to my own garden. I absolutely love the plant sales areas - I could easily spend all day in there looking at plants (and buying them!).