flower blog

There’s an Irish ballad that begins, “I wish I was in London or some other seaport town…” And today I’d really love to be across the pond because it’s time for the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show!

I haven’t been in years (I used to live there) and I’d love to check it out again. After all, it is “the ultimate event in the gardening calendar,” as noted on the Royal Horticultural Society’s web site, http://www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/shows/chelsea2009/about.asp.  

The first such show was held in Kensington in 1862 under a different name, so it’s quite the tradition. (On the RHS site, you can also find info about other flower events such as the Hampton Court Palace Show, which runs from July 7-12.)

I guess this year I’ll have to settle for pix and posts about the show. Naturally, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, attended a preview of the show; the Queen presented her son with the Royal Horticultural Society Victoria Medal of Honour.

Can't make the Chelsea Flower Show? Treat yourself to fresh flowers instead!

As well, several celebrities have appeared, including Dame Helen Mirren, Sienna Miller, Helena Bonham Carter (I met her once at a party several years ago), Ringo and Barbara Starr, Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster. To see them and more red-carpet types, visit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningpicturegalleries/
5345379/Chelsea-Flower-Show-2009-Celebrities-at-the-VIP-preview-day.html.  

Flower fans should be sure to check out the show’s new plants: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningpicturegalleries/
5349215/Chelsea-Flower-Show-2009-new-plants.html?image=12. My favorite is the Wedgwood Rose, introduced in honor of Wedgwood’s 250th birthday.

Other highlights, according to Bunny Guinness of the Daily Telegraph, include Robert Myers’ Garden for Cancer Research UK, The Future Nature Garden, The Key Garden, whose 10,000 plants were grown by homeless people and prisoners, and The Perfume Garden by Laurie Chetwood and Patrick Collins, where a new perfume called Elizabeth I is being launched. The garden’s theme is the development of perfume from that legendary queen’s time until the present.

That’s just scratching the surface, of course, because the show, which ends May 23, has between 40 and 50 gardens and more than 500 exhibitors. Read the full report and much more at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/chelseaflowershow.  

Get yourself a nice cuppa and start browsing the blooms – there are so many terrific looking flowers that you’ll be inspired to spruce up your garden or at least splurge on a bunch or two to brighten up the holiday weekend.
 

Cymbidium orchids are the star of this bouquet by Teleflora.

Q How do I care for orchid plants at home? Is it possible to make them bloom in captivity?
A Actually, the idea of orchids being dainty and delicate isn’t true. They may look that way but in fact they are robust and don’t require kid-glove treatment. Tip No. 1 is to make sure that you are following the right care guidelines for your particular variety of orchid. Meanwhile, some general rules of thumb are:

*Give your orchid good ventilation with partial shade. Keep it away from radiators, AC and drafts.

*Find a way to keep the soil drained. Try setting the planter in a tray of pebbles and water so that the pot sits out of the water. This allows the moisture to circulate and should prevent the roots from rotting. Orchids get their water from humidity in the atmosphere, rather than from the soil.

*Orchids need a dormant period in the winter to bloom again in the spring, so let it rest in a sunny spot and don't water it. Then cross your fingers and hope for the best! ;)

For more info, visit:

The American Orchid Society's web site: http://www.aos.org/

http://www.teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Myth-busting-101-Orchids-really-aren't-that-hard-to-grow.aspx  

http://www.teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/A-reader-offers-2-tricks-for-growing-orchids.aspx