The top 100 plants for your garden, and how to do the 'Chelsea Chop'
My top plants from my Chelsea Flower Show gardens. How to make your garden flowers last longer. Plus: a date for the next Zoom get-together
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It feels like magic. How does each seed know what to grow into? How does it know when to emerge? We’re taught the science behind the answers to these questions, yet the science doesn’t quite explain the sheer wonder we experience when we do something in hope and then that action is rewarded by Nature. It’s a brilliant feeling.
It’s that time of year
Suddenly, the ground has warmed up, and the plants are flowering, and every time I look, a new bloom has popped. Whatever your level of gardening, once you’ve got even the slightest bit of the gardening bug, the joy of seeing that seed that you sowed days/weeks/ months ago poking its nose out of the soil is a pleasure that never fades.
It feels like magic. How does each seed know what to grow into? How does it know when to emerge? We’re taught the science behind the answers to these questions, yet the science doesn’t quite explain the sheer wonder we experience when we do something in hope and then that action is rewarded by Nature. It’s a brilliant feeling.
Nothing is as quite as big a compliment for a garden as when it’s described as magical.5 ‘Your garden is magical’ - just imagine hearing those words.
There are so many ways of bringing the magic in, and one which we’ve been looking at is the idea of romance. You can find ideas on how to create a romantic garden here and here, along with the first of my Top 100 romantic plants, and today, we’re looking at some RHS Chelsea Flower Show-inspired plants brimming with romance.
Also this week, I’m taking a look at the ‘Chelsea Chop’.
What is it, and do you do it?
so many people swear by the Chelsea Chop, and this year, with everything flowering a good two weeks earlier than usual, I think I’m going to try to bring myself to give it a go.
Think of your plant as a human - it isn’t going to feel that brilliant having just having had major surgery, so sustenance and a cuddle are everything.
Before we get onto that, welcome to subscribers old and new - it’s been another wonderful week for new subscribers, and I want to give you a great big welcome into the Gardening Mind fold.
As you’ll soon discover, it’s a super-friendly place, and whether you like to quietly observe or join in with the Chats and courses, I think you’ll have found your people. That’s what it feels like to me.
I regularly host Zooms for paid subscribers where I explain to you how to find your way around The Gardening Mind. Here’s the next one for your diaries:
‘Finding your way around The Gardening Mind and how to use Substack’ on Tuesday 4th June at 6pm UK time.
Feel free to come and join us for 30 minutes of my showing you around TGM- it’s an excuse for a get-together!
If you’re new to gardening, or you’re just pondering about dipping a toe into this I-promise-you-wonderful-world, then an extra big hello and welcome to you. You might like to explore the How to Garden Series, which starts here.
If you’re here because you’re interested in creating your own garden design, and you’d like to catch up on the Small Garden Design Course, you can find a full-round-up of all the assignments and articles, in chronological order, here. So whether you’re just about to join in for the first time, or if you want to catch up, you can find each relevant piece here to work through at your own pace.
If you have a question that’s bothering you - ‘what to plant to hide a bin’, ‘best lawnmower’, ‘what’s ailing my amelanchier’ are recent examples - then feel free to post it on the Chat. Think of Chat as a wonderful WhatsApp group full of people who love gardens - no question is too silly, I promise.
Our Real-Life Meet-Up is taking place in a few weeks’ time at the wonderful walled gardens at Water Lane in Kent. Details are at the end of this post. Lots of you have signed up for this - I’m going to send out a message next week to get final-ish numbers. Details are at the end of this post.
And, don’t forget Sunday’s regular Show Us Your Plots on the Chat . Wherever you are in the world, do show us what your garden is looking like - we’d love to see - and we’re not judgemental! All-comers from everywhere are welcome.
Today, we’re looking at the next lot of plants that have that certain something about them, a special beauty which, when put together, bring that magic to the garden. As the Chelsea Flower Show kicks off this week (and I’m off there to judge this weekend, so I’m not saying anything about the gardens!), I’ve selected some of the best plants that I’ve used in show gardens over the years, and which have performed beautifully in my own garden.
And most importantly, all of these plants are easy to grow and to look after - plants you’ll enjoy whatever your level of gardening experience.
So here goes: have fun and take your pick!