Best in Show

I’ve just come back from my first ever visit to Chelsea Flower Show, I know, I know. I’ve lived in London all my adult life – and even went to Chelsea School of Art – but this year I made it back to SW3, with notebook and camera in hand. Read on for my favourite picks from this year’s show, plus ideas for styling with vintage planters and pots.

I started with the Show Gardens, through the main tented pavilion, and loved the monumental land art: Mother Nature, carved into a mature fallen tree by chainsaw artist Chris wood. The Campaign to Protect Rural England Garden: On the Edge, is an stunning garden, designed by landscape designer Sarah Eberle and highlights the often-overlooked areas of countryside, on the fringes of towns and cities.

The peaceful 7m x 3m Mother Nature protects the edge of the garden, surrounded by a shallow pool and UK native flowering plants. Willow artist Tom Hare created her woven willow hair intertwined with oak leaves.

I was captivated by the wildlife-friendly planting in the Killik & Co A Seed in Time garden, above, designed by Baz Grainger. The garden features a dreamy combination of water structures, reached via stepping stones that lead to a sheltered seating area, all surrounded by tall grasses, white deadnettles, foxgloves, and cow parsley.

“The structure captures and channels rainwater into a small flood zone to form a central wetland habitat. Surrounded by fruiting trees, self-seeding plants and a mix of grasses, the garden is rooted in the principal of making more from less by supporting wildlife, providing harvests and giving year-round seasonal interest.”

The smaller balcony and container gardens offered some fabulous ideas for gardens with limited space. One of my favourites was the Whittards of Chelsea townhouse garden designed by Ollie Pike, to mark the brand's 140th anniversary. What I loved most about this space was the use of recycled or reclaimed materials, including the huge copper vats and York stone paving, salvaged from nearby Sloane Square. Light pink roses, irises, peonies and aquilegia contributed to the lush planting.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London. From today until 23rd May. Details & ticket information here

Inspired by the visit to Chelsea, I dipped into my camera roll for some favourite pieces of vintage hardware. Large, blousy peonies are so well suited to metal pots and buckets – especially ones that have lived a little, like the one pictured; an old paint kettle, complete paint splashes.

Galvanised metal tubs are perfect for patios and balconies. Use old bath and laundry tubs to plant up seasonal flowers. I used a mix of daisy-like perennials including Rudbeckia, above. Remember to drill holes in the base of the tub for drainage.

Cut flowers look great in antique ceramics, even wicker baskets and cracked water pitchers! Simply pop a clean jam jar, filled with fresh water, inside your vintage pottery for a safe way to protect table surfaces and heirloom antiques.

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