INDIAN SUMMER IN CHELSEA – Reed Family Linen

Lifestyle

INDIAN SUMMER IN CHELSEA

Chelsea Flower Show in London which is synonymous with late May was this year delayed until late September, but fortunately coincided with mild early autumn weather reminiscent of an Indian Summer.

The worldwide pandemic has had some side benefits – one of which has been that people with gardens have had more time to enjoy them and nurture them than ever before. Chelsea Flower Show in London which is synonymous with late May was this year delayed until late September, but fortunately coincided with mild early autumn weather reminiscent of an Indian Summer.

Whilst the date change meant that many flowers were already past their best blooming periods (especially roses), other plants were at their best even after the four month delay.

Amongst the Sanctuary Garden exhibits both the ‘Psalm 23’ and ‘Finnish Soul’ gardens were my favourites. Psalm 23 was sponsored by the Bible Society as a place to breathe, re-engage and feel spiritually restored after COVID. The Forestry of Finland, however, chose to recreate a Nordic seaside garden complete with working sauna, natural plunge pool and living Baltic Ocean vegetation right in the heart of Chelsea SW3. Though natural and authentic, the attendant explained to us that a seven tonne piece of granite had been imported from near Helsinki as part of the project – which didn’t seem to be in keeping with the low carbon footprint theme of this year’s Show?

Whilst the date change meant that many flowers were already past their best blooming periods (especially roses), other plants were at their best even after the four month delay.

A new feature for 2021 was a section entitled ‘Balcony Gardens’ which challenged five garden designers to create urban outdoor spaces limited to the size of a high rise apartment balcony. The results were ingenious and my favourite was the Green Sky Pocket (designed by James Smith) which cloaked the space with green vegetation, strawberry trees and seemed to be the perfect antidote to busy city living.

After a scrumptious vegan lunch washed down with Babylonstoren Rosé (the official wine of the show this year) we watched robotic lawnmowers, learned about organic composts made from sheep’s wool, and visited the Green Room filled with neon grow lights and succulent cacti species.

Inside The Great Pavilion we saw natural “monster” vegetables, including a one metre diameter pumpkin, ancient bonsai trees and a riotous display of dahlias in all the colours of the rainbow.

A short rest on the grass listening to live jazz finished off our visit to this year’s Royal Show. Judging by the crowds of visitors sporting floral dresses, shirts and Panama hats, the world is delighted to be back to normal after the last eighteen months of lockdown rules and confinement to their gardens. Certainly the virus has not affected plants and trees which have continued to grow and blossom regardless.

As we passed out of the gates of the Royal Hospital on our way home after an absorbing day out, a resident Chelsea pensioner dressed in his scarlet uniform wished us well and said “See you again next year!”. After such a successful event in September, I was left wondering will that be in the Spring or the Autumn next year or maybe both ?