Blue Daisy Blog

You know how we feel about our gorgeous and endangered pollinators so you’ll understand how delighted we were to see Friends of the Earth support the plight of our bees with their latest campaign.  

Sign up to The Bee Cause and get involved.  For a donation of £15.00 you’ll be sent a bee saver kit that includes wildflower seeds, a garden planner, a step by step guide, a plant list, some postcards, a discount voucher for bee-friendly gifts and, our personal favourite, a bee spotter guide.  

In case you’ve missed mention of it The RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been on this week and I’ve been gutted that I haven’t had the opportunity to go down and check it out for myself this year.  While it’s for a good reason - I’ve been so busy doing designs for Blue Daisy's own clients - not being able to get there in person hasn't stopped me taking a sneaky peek at the TV occasionally.  From what I’ve managed to see, here are some of my favourite garden designer bits:

Designer Chris Beardshaw never seems to disappoint, and this year he continues to inspire with his Arthritis Research Garden.  A personal journey for him - he was diagnosed with arthritis in his teens - his planting is absolutely gorgeous and I just love the scupture that's forming the focal point in this shot. 

This garden is a sum of its parts and is split into 3 sections that represent the journey that arthritis sufferers go through from diagnosis through to managing their condition effectively and with confidence.  The warm, vibrant planting in this image forms the Radiant Garden, representative of that final happier stage.  See Chris Beardshaw talk about his 2013 show garden here.

Chris won a well deserved gold medal for his efforts and the coveted People's Choice award.

I think most of you who know me and/or read my blogs know that I'm quite passionate about the horticultural industry and I always encourage my customers to learn new skills in their garden.  In Victorian times we had so much knowledge and many skills we were world leaders in the horticultural industry.  These skills were being passed down the generations, sadly both World War 1 & 2  took many lives and with them the vast horticultural knowledge and skills we had disappeared. 

I am so pleased to read in the RHS magazine that the RHS has recently begun to lobby the government for the first time regarding this industry and as such children in England could be taking gardening lessons at school from September 2014.  The proposed changes could apply to children in both primary and secondary schools who could learn how to cultivate plants for practical purposes whether that is for food or for decorative displays.  

There is also linked to this a distinct lack of careers advice for school leavers for this industry which means that many school leaves either don't consider that horticulture is an option or it is seen as an industry to enter if you have failed at school. I know we can't change everything overnight, it saddens me that some people feel that horticulture is a dead end job but where would we be without crops for food, trees for timber and of course every plant in existence allows us humans to breath and exist.  

I am so pleased that there may indeed be a few organisations out there lobbying for our industry, well done to those that have put horticulture on the agenda and I will play my small part to encourage my team to continue to learn every day as I will and also my customers to pick up a trowel and have a go!

Please, if you feel as I do about our wonderful industry share this article on Facebook or Twitter, contact me and give me your thoughts and opinions and if you have children talk to them about their options which could include horticulture.

Yes, you read it right Prince Harry, it seems, has applied to the RHS to exhibit in Central Avenue of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2013.

Details are still to be confirmed but it appears the garden has been commissioned by the children’s charity Sentebale which was founded by Prince Harry. It is thought that B&Q will be sponsoring the garden and Prince Harry will be having help from a former Chelsea Gold Medal winner, Jinny Bloom.

Rumours abound that Harry has a passion for Tulips and Begonias, an interesting concept considering some of his latest media altercations and his passion for the Army Air Corps. It’s great for horticulture that someone his age who is third in line to the throne is getting involved, it can only be a positive thing....although I am finding it difficult picturing him planning his garden whilst in Afghanistan!

Latest Update 5 February 2013:

The garden that has been desiged by Jinny Blom with input from Harry while he was serving in Afghanistan is to feature the hearts and crown motif on a stone terrace which was Princess Diana's favourite motif.  It will include Trifolium repens 'William' which is said to be a tribute to his brother and he has requested forget-me-nots. 

Following a survey conducted by Which? Gardening Magazine it appears the RHS Malvern Spring Show is preferred over the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show by its readers.  People have said a huge plus for it was it being in a 'lovely location' at the Three Counties Showground at the foot of the Malvern Hills.  Other draws were its ease of access and parking, the excellent variety of products on sale, reasonably priced plants to buy, porter and creche facility all scored high.  

So if you have never been, now is the time to give it a try!!

Take a look at the RHS website here.