Cool, sophisticated and recyclable were the criteria that led the contenders at Chelsea Flower Show, which opens its doors to the Queen today. For the first time, the organisers have insisted that elements of all the main gardens must be recyclable.

The designers rose to the challenge and a bumper crop of gold medals is predicted.

Hedges are back, so much so in Chris Beardshaw’s tribute to the traditional garden at Hidcote Manor that the judges, who insist the crowds must be able to see the displays, may mark him down.

Modernist structures are everywhere. Andy Sturgeon’s Cancer Research UK Garden boasts a curly oak sculpture that is 98 feet long, tipped by some for Best in Show.
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Southport Flower Show is delighted to announce that Gloria Hunniford, one of the nation’s best loved television and radio presenters, will officially open this year’s Show on Thursday 16th August 2007.

Gloria, who is currently hosting Sunday morning’s Heaven and Earth Show on BBC1, is looking forward to visiting the UK’s largest independent Flower Show.

“I have always had a passion for flowers and gardens and it’s wonderful that Southport Flower Show has established a reputation as being the Flower Show for families, something I whole-heartedly endorse,” said Gloria.

She added: “I am looking forward to seeing the magnificent designer gardens as well as meeting visitors to the Show. I am sure that I will come away with lots of inspirational ideas for my home as well as plants and flowers for the garden.”
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The halls of downtown’s public market were in bloom Saturday as the Grove Arcade Flower Show got under way.

Tourists and locals alike strolled through the building admiring the flowers and plants, and picking up some additions for their gardens and homes.

“I came here especially for the orchids,” said Josh Smith, who works at Private Mountain Communities in the arcade. “One of them is for Mother’s Day and the rest are because I just really like them.”

Along with orchids, 19 different vendors sold everything from medicinal herbs to bonsai trees at the show, which also runs from noon to 5 p.m. today.
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The “godfather of punk” Iggy Pop has gone green fingered for the Chelsea Flower Show.
Pop, 60, famous for inventing the stage dive, is lending his name to a garden created by charity The Children’s Society.

The US wildman, born James Newell Osterberg, whose stage antics once included smearing raw meat and peanut butter over his chest, has taken a keen interest in plans for the 19-and-a-half foot-long garden.

The garden, Lust for Life, has been named after the
star’s famous single.

Pop, a former heroin addict, said of the garden: “Lust for Life is full of optimism as young people should be…but too many aren’t.
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The Union Mills Homestead will be turned into a colorful garden next weekend as the 210-year-old historic Shriver farm is filled with blooming spring flowers for the 38th annual Flower and Plant Market.

A variety of plants, including hanging baskets, climbing vines and even small shrubs, can be found by gardeners for their homes and yards.

“What really makes it unique is our selection of quality plants and a huge selection of hanging baskets that people can take home and enjoy,” said James Shriver III, one of four committee members who heads Homestead’s longest-running event.
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