gardens

the rake
CHELSEA BUILD-UP
I know it is only February, but already plans are well advanced for spring.
Believe it or not, the gardens for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (below)
were selected way back in September last year, and since then designers
and nurserymen have been having regular sleepless nights about how their
plants are growing. I thought it might be interesting to drip-feed gardens
to you over the next couple of months, in order to rustle up some extra
tension and excitement. Returning to Chelsea, after a gap of 13 years,
is Michael Balston, accompanied this time by Mary-Louise Agius. Their
garden follows on from the Olympics, as it is sponsored by QDD Athlete’s
Village UK Ltd, who are the guys turning the athletes’ village into homes.
The garden is flowing and leafy with a very clever viewing area that
indents into the garden. Definitely a contender.
FEBRUARY EVENTS
FAMILY DAYS OUT
SNOWDROP EXTRAVAGANZA
AT CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN
Saturday 2-Sunday 10, London
Enjoy a feast for the eyes at
this homage to the snowdrop,
with trails, guided tours and
displays. For more details, visit
www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
NATIONAL BRAMLEY
APPLE WEEK
Sunday 3-Saturday 9, UK
See what’s planned in your area.
www.bramleyapples.co.uk
POTATO DAY AT MID-SUFFOLK
SHOWGROUND
Saturday 9, East Anglia
9.30am-1.30pm. Admission:
£1.50. Seed-swap table, tastings,
12 the english garden February 2013
tools, books and produce.
To find out more, go to
www.eapd.btck.co.uk
SPRING FLOWER FORTNIGHT
AT BARNSDALE GARDENS
Monday 11-Sunday 24, Rutland
10% discount on all hellebores
(below) purchased from the
nursery. 10am-4pm.
Tel: +44 (0)1572 813200.
www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk
Smoochin’ sites
Despite my lame efforts at the beginning of this column,
romance is not dead, ladies and gentlemen. Far from it: even
one of our most esteemed organisations, a pillar of the
establishment, has been hit by Cupid’s arrow. The National
Trust is offering romantic getaways at many of their smaller
properties including a water tower in Trelissick in Cornwall
(above) for your Rapunzel fantasies; a gate lodge on the
estate of Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk, within 10 minutes of windy
beaches and Cromer crab sandwiches; or a thatched cottage
in the middle of Steyning, Sussex. For all this and more, visit
www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk
SHOWS
RHS PLANT & DESIGN SHOW AT
THE HORTICULTURAL HALLS
Tuesday 19-Wednesday 20,
London
To book, tel: 0844 3387506 or
visit www.rhs.org.uk
SHORT COURSES
GLASS WEEK AT WEST DEAN
Sunday 17-Friday 22,
West Sussex
Five courses to choose from
including colour and light in
stained glass, glass engraving,
layering imagery in glass,
decorative techniques in glass
bead-making, and glass gilding
and painting. Prices for courses
range from £456 to £581.
To book or for more information,
tel: 0844 4994408 or visit
www.westdean.org.uk
WORKSHOPS
PREPARING A FLEECE
& SPINNING
Saturday 9, Dorset
Held around Sherborne (locations
and directions will be sent out
with confirmation of your
booking). All necessary
materials and light refreshments
will be provided. Bring a packed
lunch and a pair of rubber gloves.
£85. To book, tel: +44 (0)7765
654771 or visit
www.kimcreswell.co.uk
SCARECROW SPECTACULAR
AT PARKE
Friday 22, Devon
Some materials will be supplied.
11am-1pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm.
For more information, tel: +44
(0)1626 834748 or visit
www.nationaltrust.org.uk TRELISSICK/NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES - ANDREW BUTLER CHELSEA CROWD/RHS