The Salvia Border at Kew Gardens – a plant family that just keeps on giving

The Salvia Border at Kew is a wonder now. Hardly worth a look in mid-summer (though you can, then, find the plant labels, a job which is nigh on impossible now the growth is so generous - hence these are images only with no naming of names, this time at least) - but now, my…

Back to the UK – a little tour of RHS Wisley. A real taste of Autumn

A free afternoon (washing done, a trip to Sainsbury's to follow) and a quick drive out to the RHS gardens at Wisley - blue skies and sunshine, alas not continuing into the weekend - but so much to see as I wandered past the lake to the Glasshouse Borders and South African Meadow, up through…

Great Comp Garden Autumn Extravaganza

Great Comp Garden Autumn Extravaganza A trip out to Kent today, to these RHS Partner Gardens near Sevenoaks. Their Autumn Extravaganza hosted a collection of plant nurseries and other artisan purveyors, on their immaculate lawns and in a Marquee right outside their back door. Well, that was the reason to visit today though these gardens…

A few things that caught my eye today – Petersham Nurseries – flower therapy and a quote from Cabaret, what more do you need?

Flower therapy, this. From Petersham Nurseries today.  To quote from Cabaret - 'Leave your troubles outside, So- life is disappointing? Forget it! We have no troubles here! Here life is beautiful... ' After this you can go back to Brexit/Conservative Leadership/Chilcot Report/Euro 2016/24HourNews/Emails... 'What good's permitting some prophet of doom To wipe every smile away…

Salvias, Salvias, Salvias everywhere!

Salvias in a long border at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, today - every imaginable colour and flower type... So many species, varieties and cultivars - I did begin to note down their names but honestly, so many had overgrown their labels, I rather gave up and immersed myself in the moment! For those interested in…

Shades of Autumn III

A final slideshow featuring the floral exhibits at the RHS Shades of Autumn Show at the Horticultural Halls, which ran over two days earlier this week. I had been a little disappointed with the Spring shows this year and was in two minds as to whether I should make the (modest) effort to go up…

Shades of Autumn II

A second gallery from the RHS Shades of Autumn show, a two day event closing yesterday, featuring an inspiring collection of plants and gardening folk... Happy to be reminded of plants out of mind, to find names for those which have eluded me and to see some inspiring planting combinations. Gold Medals all round, say…

Shades of Autumn

The RHS Shades of Autumn Show at the Horticultural Halls in London - packed full of plants and inspiration and a rather better show than one or two of the more recent events. Bonsai, chrysanthemums, salvias, nerines, dahlias, asters, heucheras, grasses, agapanthus, gladioli, martagon lilies, alpines, succulents - and tradional fruit and vegetables on display…