Use your virtual flower power
While gardens around the country remain closed, enjoy online virtual inspiration from the comfort of your own home, says LOUISE MIDGLEY
THE organisers of Garden Day; the nationwide community benefit movement, are calling on households across the UK to down tools on May 10 and celebrate their gardens or indoor green oasis of houseplants for the nation’s largest virtual garden gathering.
This year, Garden Day is calling on plant-lovers to celebrate their green spaces while simultaneously enjoying the restorative benefits they provide by virtually sharing them with friends and family through video calls and live streaming across social media platforms.
Garden Day will also be hosting a free, open Virtual Garden Day Celebration online with an exciting programme of live floristry and gardening demonstrations streamed across the day.
A host of prominent plantaholics and leading gardening personalities, including garden presenter and plantsman Michael Perry – aka Mr Plant Geek – and garden designer and broadcaster Arit Anderson, are lending their support to the event by proudly wearing flower crowns and taking part in this year’s virtual celebrations.
“We can all be part of the virtual Garden Day celebration” says Arit,
“by enjoying a cuppa in our favourite spot, a quiet read or even a delicious al fresco meal.
“This event is really for everyone, from beginner gardeners to horticultural addicts, indoor plant lovers, balcony gardeners, flower border fanatics, from grandchild to grandparent.the idea is to enjoy and appreciate our plant havens wherever they may be.”
● To get involved, visit gardenday.co. uk/getinvolved where you can download a toolkit with hints and tips on how to celebrate Garden Day at home, find times of live-stream flower crown workshops and explore various how-to videos. Follow @Gardendayuk on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Candide. Share your Garden Day celebrations on social media using #Gardendayuk
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH WEST DEAN GARDENS
RECENTLY featured on BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World, the much-loved gardens ofwest Dean inwest Sussex are truly magnificent at this time of the year.
While temporarily closed, it continues to be a source of virtual inspiration to the public through daily posts of photos and films on its social media channels.
This means regular visitors will not miss out on seeing the familiar River Lavant that runs through the spring gardens or the glorious herbaceous borders that are bursting into life.
Head Gardener Tom Brown also shares professional tips and instructional advice through a series of short films.
● Follow @westdeangardens to see regular updates of the garden and @westdeancollege for daily posts of creative content.