Balls of flowers

Last week I promised you actual flowers for this Friday’s post, and here they are. They’re from inside the Great Pavilion at last year’s Chelsea Flower Show, I don’t remember which stand, but when I saw them as I was sorting through my photos I knew they were just right for this post. The bouquet or arrangement grabs your attention doesn’t it, but look more closely at the inset in the display base, and you’ll see a variety of bulbs that are in various states of growth. That’s the thing about bulbs, like seeds, they’re programmed to grow.

The ‘ball’ above were part of a larger display that is way beyond my flower arranging skills, but let’s be honest, it’s a fairly low bar. Displaying the spheres on open shelving is an interesting approach, and one I like. The dangly bits in the photos are from the orchids, we’re used to seeing them curled up in pots.

The pastel arrangement behind the spheres was huge, and goodness knows how many flowers it contains. It’s style is quite in contrast to the spheres, and I have to admit the one below with its bright colours is definitely my favourite.

Flowers, really do just make you smile don’t they? These definitely do. Sigh.

Floral thrones, of course

Prepare to be amazed. And potentially a little bit bemused. This post will show you flower arranging at its greatest, quite where the inspiration comes for these fabulous creations I’m not sure, but it was great to wander amongst them and admire them in the Pavilion at last year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

I like the yellows and purples of the one above, as well as its heart-shaped addition at the top of the back. Imagine if you were to sit on this (and I’m not sure I’d advise that) the heart would be just above your crown, because of course you’d have to be wearing a crown, wouldn’t you? In fact the one below, has an evergreen crown woven into its bold design.

What is amazing is the variations among them. The flamboyance and the variety of colours and approaches used. The one below has a more practical solution for its occupant to avoid a flower squishing situation, although I’m not convinced it would be any more comfortable.

I remember being amazed at the number of entries, and while the theme was floral thrones, the armchair version was a favourite.

The canopied version was much more regal, and I loved the colours of its flowers.

And it just goes to show that with a few logs from the garden and plenty of imagination, we all could have something just as spectacular, although in my case I think I’d settle for colourful as I’m not sure I could match any of this magnificence.

Hands up, whose garden will be supporting a floral throne this summer?

Foxgloves on Friday

Well, why not? Since I spotted some growing in my succulents, which isn’t as painful as it sounds, I’ve been fixated on foxgloves. Remembering those I saw at last year’s Chelsea Flower Show I thought it was about time those from the Botanic Nursery, had an airing here. It looks as if the ones below are clambering towards the top of the pavilion last May. I think it’s mostly the angle though, that and trying (and failing, it seems) to get as much foxglove as I could into a single shot.

I didn’t do any better getting these into the shot either. But I’m forgiving myself for their creamy yellowness, which starts from the fresh lime green.

When you think foxgloves, I’m sure we all think fairly similar. But in the photo above there’s the traditional downward facing bell (the white ones in the background), the creamy yellow in the foreground which is more horizontal and the more flowery purple stems. That messes with our ideals doesn’t it? Thankfully they’re all pretty, so I think they can get away with it.

My favourite though are the ones that has the speckled landing strip for bees. And they’re the ones that are most like the ones in my garden, which is lucky isn’t it?