CHELSEA 2011 REPORT - Part Four: The Main Marquee

Ok, time for another post of Chelsea Flower Show Highlights.

One of the most spectacular aspects of Chelsea is the incredible floral and horticultural displays inside the main marquee.

Talk about FLOWER SHOW, OMFG, it was remarkable. Some of the stands were small than I had envisioned, but to see the array of displays and the meticulous detail exhibitors showcase in their stands is really first rate.

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The crowds were insane! Even during press day and then the first members day, the show grounds and the marquee were jammed packed full of enthusiastic plant lovers trying to catch a glimpse of every display. It was wall-to-wall old lady after old lady sprinkled in a mix of men: supportive husbands, hardcore plantsmen, gay couples and even young children which I always seem to look out for.

Speaking of children, one of the highlights of the marquee for me wasn't a botanical display, but a pair of young garden enthusiast who I enjoyed chatting with as they shared information about the display they helped put together. I asked them questions about what their favorite plants were and to get a response like, "Oh, how could I choose. I love them all! THE GERBERAS! I'd have to say the Gerbera daisies because they add so much colour" the young 8 year old boy stated. What 8-year old freakin' knows what a gerbera is?!!! It was awesome!


Bulbs were in full display and are well represented in Chelsea:


I've become fonder and fonder of Flowering Onions (Allium) and the assortment on display was remarkable.


Daffodils in late May are an extraordinary sight and getting these varieties to flower all at the same time is no easy feat!


Tulips as well; getting these to flower all at the same time is exceedingly difficult, but when you do it each year, you've got it down, but often nature can easily throw a curve-ball at you and something you had originally wanted to showcase calls for a change in plans:

So, this remarkable tulip is called 'Wow'. No, seriously, that's what it's called simply because when anyone sees it, they think "HOLY MOTHER OF....., WHAT IS THAT??!"


You just can't help but think about just how bizarre and exotic this is! Sadly the quality of the flowers and stems weren't up to the quality of the overall exhibit so they nixed these and I had to ask the exhibitor to sneak behind the prep area to snap a photo!

A flower show experience would not be complete without me getting to see and experience the wonderful world of Lilium and, boy, was I in for a treat:

Lilies have always had a place in a show like this and for good reason. The extravagant flowers are eye-catching and the fragrance of many of them just draws you in and makes you fall in love with them. Again, a huge challenge to get them to flower all at the same time, these arrangements showcases mostly cut flowers varieties which are long lasting both in the vase and out in the garden. And another display really showcases the diversity of Lilies and how far they've come in just the last few years in recent developments in breeding for new and exciting varieties.

This display was remarkable in that it represented lilies that normally would bloom at different times during the summer. From early Asiatics to the late-blooming Orientals (varieties like the common 'Stargazer' or 'Casablanca' to the hybrids between them. It was outstanding!

Introduced last year and certainly still making waves is a lily that I'm DYING to get on this side of the pond based on the raves and reviews I've heard about this most special hybrid:

Let me introduce Lilium 'Kushi Maya':


Bred from the rare and exotic Lilium nepelense, this hybrid combines the coloration and bloom placement of the species with the flower size and vigor of a modern day hybrid (in this case, an oriental x trumpet cross). The scent is enchanting and absolutely remarkable and I'm dying to secure a few bulbs this fall.


I have never seen carnivorous plants the way I admired them at Chelsea because they were quite prominent and each display was simply outrageous!


Nepenthes and other exotics were in full display.


As are pitcher plants and fly traps!


And, again, no detail is overlooked! Not a strand of moss missplaced!

Ok, overwhelmed yet?? I'll stop for now and give you some time to process this...haaha


Cheers,

R

Why I love spring...

Even with the never-ending work load and constant demands for my time that appear out of nowhere, I love what spring has to bring and offer the gardener. It's a time of emergence, a time of unexpected surprises, and a reinvigorated spirit within oneself that is eager to explore the sumptuous bounty of nature's ethereal magic as the season unfurls before our eyes.

My infatuation with the species tulips

Though the cause of my anger and frustration as they've been devoured by mice and squirrels this winter and spring, the bold survivors pulled through to produce a show that makes me weak and compelled to place another early season pre-order for bulbs to be delivered this fall.

I've raved about Tulipa kaufmanniana 'Ancilla' in previous posts, but there's still a few beginning to bloom and a few more to follow in the next couple of weeks.


Tulipa 'Juan' (Fosteriana type)
Think intense, sultry, and undeniably hot; these are words not typically used to describe spring's delicately innocent flowers, but one look of this seductively sexy tulip and you're at a lost for words. Fiery orange with a hint of warm yellow and the cooling calm foliage with just the faintest hint of clean, purple-gray lines for a somewhat understated, but compelling presence. Yeah.....that was a little over top. AAAANNNNYWAY....pretty tulip.



Tulipa 'Little Beauty'
Certainly living up to its name, this little charmer is the cutest thing to pop out of the garden in mid-April as the cherry red blossoms pop open to reveal a faint blue center, painted black markings and a halo of violet-pink.


Tulipa praestans 'Unicum'
Often mistaken for an emerging hosta, this unusual tulip looks great all spring as the pale green leaves are gilded with a wide creamy margin and out of nowhere, pops a intensely red bud that, to the surprise of many who encounter it, is just one of several buds on this multi-flowering species.

Being able grow and nurture these lovely gems is certainly gratifying, but to be able to share springs vibrant color and blooms with others is wonderfully fulfilling.

On Easter Sunday, I asked my oldest niece, Alex, to help me carry my flats of unsold daffodils to my brothers house. I asked her to cut the flowers to put in a vase to decorate the dinner table.



My youngest nephew, Jean Paolo, peeked out the window wondering what we were doing and insisted that he take part.



So he did and carefully arranged them in the vase. =)




Spring is certainly a time where, as the weather improves, everyone gathers. The past few weeks have included barbecues, family get-togethers (more than usual), garden work and potting parties, and the occasional bonfire or two.

At a local pea-patch in Seattle.

A few weeks ago, I was invited to a cozy get together with several of the graduate students at CUH. Not only were they fun people to be around with, they were also avid gardeners. Even at night I enjoyed perusing the wood chip paths to see their perennial and vegetable beds, but what compelled me most was the humble gathering of people surrounding a warm and welcoming fire.

With a simple burning fire (and firewood they've dubbed as "PANTS"), I am so enthused to design my garden around one.



Even if for myself, it's so incredibly relaxing and, hey, should the right person come along, it could even be quite romantic.


=)

A lesson in planting...

I had such a fun time visiting with my good friend, Joyce a few weeks ago. She emailed requesting some advice on their yard in Bellevue and I was more than happy to pay her a visit, catch up and see what we could do for them as she and her husband tackle the challenges of a new home and landscape. While the house is under control, they've started to putter around in the yard. (yes, being the cheap bastard I can be, I offered my services to them as a wedding gift....hahhah). So, we met up, Joyce prepared me a yummy lunch and so began our consultation.

Somewhat embarrassed by some of the pruning work they've done, it actually wasn't all that bad. I demonstrated proper pruning cuts and how to thin out some of the rambunctious shrubs that were plunged into their yard shortly before they moved in and we did a bit of planting as I brought her some plants including springs bulbs to perk up their front yard.

Here, I taught her how to knock a plant out of its pot. Spreading her fingers through the stem and leaves, she turned the pot upside down and let gravity do the work. If this were a pot-bound plant, a light tap of the rim will help loosen it.





Knowing Joyce since high school (she was actually my prom date!), we never really, like, gardened together and I was mighty impressed at her inquisitive questions and her mean digging skills as she dug a planting hole in glacial till for the yellow-twig dogwood!!





We discussed the difference between mulch and the native soil during planting. I stressed the importance of getting the roots of a woody tree or shrub in direct contact with the native soil without having to amend the planting hole.


Because Joyce is naturally brilliant (she's a pharmacist at Children's, btw), she remembered from early biology classes that tree roots really expand out rather than go directly down. So, she didn't mind digging a wider planting hole to accommodate the spread-out roots system of a baby Cornus 'Hedgerow's Gold'.

Here's what she can expect: Hmm...maybe I should hook her up with the Clematis, too!



I think watching Joyce "dig" what she was doing was the most satisfying part. She and Pat now know the hidden potential of their garden and how to oversee it; it's going to be an ongoing process and I think they'll understand that and not feel like it's going to be a tedious chore, but a relaxing and rewarding weekend activity for both of them.




I hope they also know that I'll be in touch for more advice and to hook them up with some more awesome plants!

Officially Spring!

What a tremendous weekend for gardening. Even though I had to work, I managed a few hours in the garden and some progress on a redesign of Landwave.

I kick myself for not getting an opportunity to work in my own garden, but at the same time, I'm fully aware that I've really bitten more than I can chew. It's totally my fault for knowing that I already have a lot of my plate, but I often let others dictate what my priorities are and I'm getting a little fed up with it.

The potential of the garden can be tremendous, but I can't move at the pace I'd like to get everything I want accomplished. Yes, I could use more help, but my garden should be a reflection of my own work and efforts.

As I tear up the garden for this redesign, there are individual highlights intact that I made sure to take the time and fully admire this weekend:


Part of the redesign involves the removal of this planting scheme I installed just two years ago with Tulipa kaufmanniana 'Ancilla' planting in a drift with Muscari armeniacum. With ornamental grasses left intact over the winter, it is a simple yet dramatic and easy to care for perennial display. It's absolutely lovely to see this tulip open, close, and open again. The eventual sea of blue compliments the cream colored blooms with deep orange and yellow centers and red reverses. These bulbs are reliable perennials if they are dead-headed, allowed to die down properly and not eaten by pesky rodents. Just bummed that I have to carefully transplant these while in active growth and bloom.



One tree I wasn't able to move in time is my combo Asian Pear tree that's already in full bloom this weekend. I never noticed how stinky their flowers are, but oh the plentiful fruit they produce!



On the other side of the scent spectrum is a sweet little Muscari called 'Golden Fragrance'. It has been in the ground for 3 years now and has survived the dryish soil and neglect after it bloom each spring. You have to kneel down to really admire them, but you're in for a treat when you bring your nose close to it!



Epimediums are a tad early this season with many already budded up and blooming including this stunning species from China. Epimedium aff. franchetii.



Time's really running out in terms of my window to transplant things, but I'm still going for it. Here's a large clump of lilies I dug and divided and some plants, like herbaceous peonies, will hate being moved at this time, but they don't have much of a choice. I can just get them potted up or replanted ASAP and hope for the best this year.


I'll fill you in on my redesign and more spring highlights to come. Stay tuned and enjoy!

Riz

Tulips in May

As difficult as it was to take a decent photograph of my nieces and nephews when we went to see the tulip fields in Mt. Vernon last Sunday, this one of my nephew Jean-Paolo turned out kind of refreshing and funny! He blended in in the sea of red with his red coat that was almost the exact same shade as the tulips, which he could care less about, but judging from this pic, I think he enjoyed himself along with his brother and two older sisters.



Enjoy the pics of my family as I share this spetacular annual show with them!


My nieces Trisha & Alex.


My nephew, BJ.


BJ in a sea of Red.




Tito (Uncle) Riz with Pao Pao.


My sister, Gretchen.


Yours truly with my neon green shirt that just looks smashing with the deep violet of Tulipa 'Negrita'. hehe


Back at Landwave, my stands of Tulipa 'Ballerina' that just lights up the spring garden.



More tulip pics on my Flickr page, here.