OPINION
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is probably the biggest plant-fest on Earth, not just in the Great Pavilion but in the show gardens where designers weave their magic. But our nurseries are the quiet stars of the show explains Andrew Wilson
In some ways, although the construction and material sourcing can have their ups and downs, there is nothing quite like the worry of planting at the greatest horticultural show on Earth. British springs are notoriously variable. In 2013 it was 6°C mid-Chelsea week after a cold and miserable winter. Last year on press day it was 27°C after a mild winter and early spring. Each scenario brings worries as either nothing comes into flower or planned flowering periods are completely over and last minute substitutions are necessary. The RHS requires planting lists and details for the original submissions in the summer before Chelsea. Some stalwart plants make it through the ordeal in the period between the acceptance of the design and the show but many early selections are casualties – too risky, too late into flower, too weak if forced and so on.
THERE IS NOTHING QUITE LIKE THE WORRY OF PLANTING AT THE GREATEST HORTICULTURAL SHOW ON EARTH Can the designers manage this ever changing scenario on their own? Well, no is the most honest answer; they will benefit greatly from having the expertise and experience of a good nursery on their team. There is a crucial synergy between the creativity of the designer and the skill and knowledge of the grower and supplier. For each of our show gardens so far we have chosen to work with Mark Straver and Robin Wallis of Hortus Loci, experts in their field and always ready with reliable advice gained through show experience. Gavin and I are no prima donnas although nerves can get frayed when key plants don’t do their thing or when deliveries are late or get stuck in the Chelsea 22
Pro Landscaper / April 2015
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CHELSEA PLANT-FEST
showground one-way system. Mark and Robin, on the other end of the phone, are probably suffering from severe lack of sleep and the stress of multiple lorry loads of cosseted plants leaving their care and safe keeping. Why do designers enter the arena? Well apart from the obvious media coverage and profile raising, Chelsea offers a completely different experience of planting and design. For most of our design schemes in the real world we invest time and energy in the planting design. Other calls on our time mean that we have little space for setting out, let alone for planting operations. For Chelsea, it’s a much more hands-on situation and is all the more fun for it as designers immerse themselves in an intense week to ten days of hands-on planting, changing associations, swapping plants for better performers and selecting last minute additions. Our experience has led us to work with Hortus Loci on our planting schemes on a more regular basis. Their suppliers, connections and sourcing are second to none and we have the assurance of quality plants with few substitutions. For the nursery, there is the excitement of the show and the satisfaction of being a
part of a wider team success – undeniably the PR and kudos from their involvement are also important. But for Mark Straver, the key to success is to manage expectations from the start, never promising something that should be considered a ‘perhaps’ or a ‘maybe’. Years of experience have taught him that even reliable species can fail and the ability to seek or advise on viable alternatives is what counts and ultimately delivers ‘a sense of accomplishment’. Our original working relationship with Mark and Robin has now evolved into a mutually supportive friendship and the coincidence this year that Mark’s old school, Wellington College, is celebrated in our garden has, in his own words proved to be “the icing on the cake and a massive honour!” No pressure then in hoping for Gold!
ABOUT ANDREW WILSON Andrew Wilson is a landscape and garden designer and a director of Wilson McWilliam Studio. He is also a director of the London College of Garden Design, an author, writer and lecturer.
www.wmstudio.co.uk
www.prolandscapermagazine.com
18/03/2015 12:56