Garden designers from around the world compete for space at this most famous of flower shows. This was the 82nd year that the Chelsea Flower Show has been held at the Royal Hospital from 25th to 28th May. Each year, the grounds come alive with the sights and smells of the finest collections of flowers in the world.

Around 600 exhibitors were on display from all around the world including 52 gardens in all shapes, sizes and styles and over 100 floral exhibitors, including new plants. There were 23 show gardens, each one created with attention to detail by some of the world's leading garden designers. Smaller Chic, Courtyard, City and Sunflower Street gardens show exactly what can be achieved on modest sized plots. Exhibitors will be judged by a specialist judging panels before the show opens, and awarded Gold, Silver-Gilt, Silver and Bronze Medals.

The day that we visited the show was overcast and threatening rain. The site of the show is on the banks of the Thames on the grounds of the hospital shown below. A large, tent-like structure contained the beautiful displays of flowers in bloom and outstanding created environments. Outdoor displays were wide ranging in landscape type and theme.

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Chelsea Flower Show
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What can you say about the Chelsea Flower Show than, "Wow!" It is all set up for just a four day run and then, in two days, it all disappears for another year. All that is left is a paved parking lot. Unbelievable!

The site is divided into two main areas. The outdoor displays range from extravagant to something practical for the average backyard gardener. All constructed in the weeks before the store and then gone in a day or two following the close.

The second main area is indoors. It used to be under a big canvas tent but, like so many things now a days, it is now sponsored by Merrill Lynch who provides a more substantial, yet temporary, structure. This makes for more viewing space since they need fewer posts than the canvas tend of old. Inside is a magnificent display of all types of plants both flowering and foliage. Each bloom or tomato or leaf is perfect and was moved here from a greenhouse some distance away. I can't even move a poinsettia from a local nursery to my house without breaking some leaves yet they bring lupines and roses and Jacks-in-the-Pulpit with no apparent damage.

In my humble opinion (IMHO for you techies), I think a trip to the Chelsea Flower Show should be on the "to do" list of every serious gardener. However, if you go, be sure to get there at starting time so you can see the displays unobstructed. By 11:00 a.m. or so, the crowd swells and makes photo taking a little more difficult.

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