Trends at Chelsea Flower Show 2005

The 83rd Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea flower show is underway. Arguably the most important horticultural event of the year, the flower show introduces gardeners to design trends and plant varieties on the cutting edge of new. Although the RHS does not set a theme for the show, common trends often surface among the garden designs.

Reflecting current interests in high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables, several of this year's displays feature edible plants. The Chelsea Pensioners Garden recreates an old-time vegetable patch with varieties popular in 1939 while a noted chef encourages UK gardeners to try exotic Malaysian food plants new to Britain. Glass provides an artistic element in some gardens, including a photo gallery mounted between glass panels. Ecological themes appear in several displays, inspiring gardeners to recycle and create places for wildlife in their gardens.

UK Horticulture Minister Lord Bach paid a visit to a special exhibit titled, Climate Change: The Global Challenge, created by the Eden Project and the Institute of Horticulture. The display clarifies climate change and demonstrates ways that gardeners can work to prevent it and ways to design their gardens to adapt to it.

Links:

• Chelsea Flower Show 2005 the event web pages at the website of the Royal Horticultural Society



• Budding Stars from the Guardian Unlimited



• Chelsea 2005 event coverage from the BBC - Click the link to Gardens to tour this years entries. Show gardens are displayed with panoramic viewing.

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 5:12 PM on May 26, 2005

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