Chelsea Flower Show: My 'Best in Show'

I wait patiently to get a closer look as the crowds gather at my favourite Chelsea 2008 garden

Many of the gardens were all that you would expect of the Chelsea Flower Show. Garden design, combined with horticulture, both at the peak of their game, creating amazing spaces, that were totally stunning. But in the same way as haute couture is seldom practical or comfortable for every day wear, I couldn't envisage having many of the gardens displayed at Chelsea, transplanted outside my back door. It was on that basis I chose my 'Best in Show; Chelsea 2008'. The garden I selected was a garden that appealed to my senses, and my ascetic, it was designed for people with frailty, and would enhance the quality of their lives, and I would be more than happy to take it home with me, fully sure that such a garden would enhance my life and be a perfect sanctuary.

Lupin 'Masterpiece', Papaver spictum, Salvias and Iris 'Langport Wren'

'So get on with it women', I hear you say, who is it? I chose The Bupa Garden, designed by Cleve West. The brief was to create stimulating outdoor space for patients in Bupa Care Homes. The garden was designed for patients with Dementia, Alzheimers and Parkinsons especially in mind. I was informed by one of the helpers on the stand that the figure of eight paving design had been influenced by the fact that the patients get confused when confronted by an abrupt end to a path or a wall, so the shape had been chosen to allow them to gently amble without fear, with places to stop and rest, a sensory planting, and water and a large orb that could be touched and walked around.

The wonderful orb hovering over a pool at the rear of the garden

The Garden is destined for one of Bupa's London Care Homes, The Meadbank Nursing Centre, in Battersea. Cleve West won a Gold for this, but wasn't awarded best in Show, that went to Tom Stuart-Smith's Laurent Perrier Garden. Each year, the BBC run a seperate award known as the 'Peoples Award' which I know the designers regard highly as public affirmation and recognition of their achievement. I shall most definitely vote for the Cleve West's Bupa Garden in the 'Peoples Award' and you can vote for your favourite Chelsea 2008 garden here too.

The man himself taking photographs of his creation talking to one of his assistants

A cooler planting scheme in the rest area of Aquilegia 'Yellow Queen', Aquilegia 'Blue Barlow', Rosa' Bobbie James', and Salvia nemorosa 'Viola Klose'

Click on any of the pictures to enlarge them.

Below, I have written two other posts about my visit to Chelsea on Tuesday, please feel free to add you own comments and thoughts on the show, I would love to know what you thought too.

News Flash

I am pleased to add, that Cleve West won the BBC People's Choice Award for the Bupa Garden.