Swayed in Chelsea
Get inspired and discover what is hot this season with a sneak peak at the beautiful plants set to wow crowds at Chelsea Flower Show
The world’s most famous flower show starts this week, with stunning gardens and floral exhibits to amaze and inspire visitors. And the annual celebration of horticulture and design that is the RHS Chelsea Flower Show never fails to capture headlines.
Bringing innovative garden designs and new plant varieties from leading nurseries, it sets the trend for the coming season.
I’ve taken a sneak peak at the varieties set to cause a stir. So create your own flower show at home with these all stars.
ALLIUMS
Known for large, lollipop shaped flower heads with little star-shape flowers, alliums can be anything from creamy white and sunshine yellow to classic vibrant purple.
They are grown from bulbs planted in autumn so if you have got some in the ground, fertilise them now. They prefer a sheltered spot with lots of sun and don’t like cold, wet conditions.
FOXGLOVES
The trend for cottage gardens is now in full swing and the tall ethereal stems of foxglove, with bell-shaped flowers in speckled purple and pink, are a striking finishing touch.
Despite their ornate appearance, foxgloves are often found growing wild so are easy to grow in any site or situation but thrive in dappled shade.
Foxgloves are poisonous when consumed so best avoided if you have pets or young children.
VIOLAS
The new viola cultivar ‘Birdie’ is sure to attract attention at Chelsea with its attractive, fragrant, frilly pale-yellow flower petals edged in violet purple.
This viola is perfect for both containers or in beds and borders and will flower throughout spring and summer, with regular deadheading.
Violas generally do well in a sunny or partially shaded area of your garden with fertile soil.
IRISES
Another year, another stunning iris variety to admire.
Several newcomers will star at Chelsea, including the dainty ‘Chic Famille’, edged with purple, or the striking ‘Souffle Chaud’, selected for its unique burned orange petals. Bearded iris need a well-drained and sunny site, where dry soil is essential.
If your iris has failed to flower, which can happen, it may be because the conditions are too damp or shady.
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
Perfect for attracting wildlife to your garden as well as bringing soft fluid movement in the breeze, ornamental grasses remain a firm favourite.
Their subtle look becomes ever more of a feature to offset busy planting schemes. Look out for Fargesia murieliae ‘Luca’ at the show this year. They tend to prefer a sunny
With its frilly yellow petals, ‘Birdie’ is sure to attract attention
location – check your own particular grass to ensure you are providing the correct growing conditions.
JACOB’S LADDER
A new cultivar at Chelsea this year named ‘Kaleidoscope’ is as exciting as the name suggests, with interesting variegated foliage that becomes even more pronounced in cooler weather.
The long stems with pretty clusters of bright blue flowers make a lovely addition to the front of your borders and generally prefer a sunny or partially shaded spot in your garden.
JAPANESE MAPLE
Often grown for wonderful autumn colour, Acer palmatums continue to be a hit for smaller gardens where their slow-growing habit won’t dominate.
This year, look out for the unusual ‘Metamorphosa’ with a variegated yellow leaf that fades to a green edged in baby pink and finally white. Acers even work in containers and add sophistication to Japanese-style gardens. Young trees may need shelter from frost and will not tolerate very wet or exposed conditions.
CLEMATIS
New clematis ‘Sarah Elizabeth’ brings unusual bubblegum pink flowers and has been developed as a tribute to Sarah Groves, a young woman who was killed on a boat in 2013.
Thorncroft Clematis is creating its display A Royal Celebration! in honour of Prince Harry’s wedding and includes another new one, called ‘Prince William’. Clematis happily scramble up your garden trellis or pergola, especially if given full sun. Keep it in check with regular pruning.
LUPINS
Lupins are fantastic upright plants with long racemes of small, bead-like flowers. They come in lots of bright, summery colours, from elegant pinks and purples to bold reds and yellows. The ideal soil for these striking flowers is fertile and slightly moist and they tend to prefer a sunny location.
FUCHSIAS
A versatile, low-maintenance plant that is perfect for any summer bedding scheme, fuchsias are enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Delicate droplet flowers are commonly a bright pink with purple interior petals.
They are great for a shady spot in your garden, although make sure they are not left too exposed to the cold.
Chelsea runs Tuesday to Saturday. See rhs.org.uk/shows-events