Patchwork of flowers is a delight in garden showpiece

WORK GOES ON FOR VIRTUAL SHOW

MANY MONTHS of preparation has gone into the showpiece shrubs and glorious blooms of the Yeo Valley Organic Garden for this Chelsea’s Flower Show.

Now as the event is hosted virtually online, an insight into the riot of colour is revealed.

The organic gardens, in Somerset, feature 6.5 acres of ornamental and edible plants, in a seasonal patchwork which has grown over 18 years.

And while the formal show season may be on hold, the virtual show hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society is offering a glimpse into the gardens and work continuing across the country.

At Yeo Valley there is a clover rich pasture, rolling down to a wildlife lake and wetland habitat, rife with toads, dragonflies

and damselflies. Owner Sarah Mead is pictured in the birch grove, while gardener Zelah Cornelius inspects blooming lavender in the vegetable gardens before tending to his gladiolus byzantinus.

Garden designer Adam Frost talked watchers through a tour of his own Lincolnshire garden, describing it as somewhere fun to experiment.

“For me, that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “With gardening, you’re not only doing if for you, you’re doing it to share.”

In today’s virtual lineup, designer Tom Massey demonstrates the planting of some of his Chelsea-bound plants in his small front garden to get the space buzzing with wildlife, while also creating a mini meadow, and there will be nursery tours, talks on herbs and spices, as well as floral demonstrations.

With gardening, you’re doing it to share. Garden designer Adam Frost.

PICTURES: PA PURPLE POWER: Clockwise, from top, Zelah Cornelius inspects blooming lavender at Yeo Valley’s Organic Garden, in Blagdon, Somerset; Fay Sizer pushes her barrow through the veg garden at Yeo Valley; gardeners work in the gravel garden at Yeo Valley; owner Sarah Mead, tends to flowers at Yeo valley.