Blue Daisy Blog

What do you think?

I took part in an online discussion recently about different trends in the garden design world and one that was mentioned was the Grow Your Own (GYO) trend.  Personally, I believe that more and more people are turning to growing something edible in their garden.  Whether it is due to the economic climate, the feeling of nurturing and growing, encouraging the children or simply that it helps to keep the carbon footprint down - people are still doing it.

One or two people in this discussion thought that the bubble had certainly burst and indeed one nursery owner said that their sales of fruit and vegetable plants to garden centres had drastically dropped this year in comparison with last year. I have to admit that I was amazed by that comment whether based on fact or gut instinct; to me it just doesn’t ring true.  Take this year’s Chelsea Flower Show for example; there were lots of gardens either with an edible theme like Bunny Guinness who designed the M&G Investment garden, it was a modern take on the traditional kitchen garden using raised beds which were crammed full of produce.  The B&Q garden being the tallest show garden at Chelsea showed us how we can make small spaces attractive with flowers and still have room for edible crops even on balconies.  Both the Hampton Court Palace Show and Tatton Park have had show gardens with an edible theme too.

I found myself in an antiquarian bookshop last week looking through the horticultural titles (of course!). There were some really lovely old fashioned books - totally out of date now - but absolutely lovely to flick through. Also saw some second hand copies of newer titles, for example Prince Charles' book on Highgrove.  As I worked my way through the shelves I came upon an author's name that I knew but I couldn't remember where from so I took the book down off the shelf and as I opened it I remembered why it sounded familiar.

It may sound like I'm jet setting off all over the place now that my course has finished but I have been treated to a few niceties to celebrate being a fully qualified garden designer and a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew was just what was needed!  I've been before many years ago and remembered how much I enjoyed it and the inspiration I got from the different areas within the gardens.  We spent a whole day there and for me that wasn't enough time, I think we were one of the last through the gates as they were closing at 6.30pm!

We entered through the main gate as there are a few different entrances and passed Kew Palace which was once the family home of George III, it had a formal garden at the rear and a flower and vegetable garden to the side.  Parterres and Knot Gardens have their place and whilst they aren't a favourite of mine I do appreciate them and the history of them.  I particularly liked this combination for contrast of both form and colour.

A few weeks ago we went on our last college trip to Highgrove home of HRH Prince Charles. We were very lucky to go as one of the people on my course works there and used one of his allocated two visits a year for a mini-bus full of us students!  I hear that there is a two year waiting list for a two hour tour so we were very lucky to get access.  Our guide, our fellow student, took us around the grounds after we had got through security and ensured our cameras were left on the mini-bus.  I was disappointed that I couldn't take photos, it's something that you can look back on and remember your own personal experience. Instead we can buy his book or look at the official website (that link is at the end for you if this has whetted your appetite!).

It can't have escaped your notice that was the RHS Chelsea Flower Show recently and what a show it was from beautiful displays in the floral marquee through to amazing show gardens!  For me it was the show gardens that really attracted me the most, don't get me wrong I am a plant lover but I prefer to look at plants in situ and see how they work with other plants and different materials.

An RHS Gold Medal and The Best In Show Award went to The Daily Telegraph Garden designed by Cleve West who demonstrates how the more traditional materials can be combined with more modern materials comfortably.  Space too was included in his design which is a brave yet confident move, a lot of show gardens are crammed full but this space added to the calm and peacefulness of the garden.  For me personally it wasn't best in show - call me what you will but I didn't feel inspired and excited by this garden, I loved the planting and the clever use of materials but it felt 'comfy'.