Over the last two days I’ve experienced complete sensory overload. Yesterday’s highlight was the RHS London Plant and Design Show, where I was dazzled by oceans of irises and fountains of rare and beautiful snowdrops. Considering the winter we’ve had, the likes of Jacques Amand (above) and Avon Bulbs still managed to create extraordinary displays, deserving of the gold medals they were awarded.
Driving through the night to Cornwall was necessary pain, for the gain of being first in the queue for Bosvigo’s annual Hellebore Day. Nothing prepared me for the delicate, sunlit tapestry of early spring flowers in Wendy Perry’s garden, or for the temptation of the home grown hellebores on offer. In the same way that ice cream contains no calories, shopping for good plants surely costs nothing? Ontop of the exhilaration of bagging four absolutely exquisite examples of the ‘Bosvigo Doubles’ strain (just one pictured below), it was simply a thrill to be outside in clean air, under blue skies.
Soon we were off again, barrelling down the flooded lanes south east of Truro to Caerhays Castle, where the camellias and early rhododendrons were already in full bloom. Despite destructive gales, the venerable shrubs remain protected by mature shelterbelts and vast magnolias, which will join the spring display within days.
All this fresh air and excitement has made me a little bit giddy, but what a way to blow away the cobwebs and regain enthusiasm for the gardening year ahead. Check back over the coming days for more on each of these events (well perhaps not the 7 hour drive!) and some photographs which I hope will make you giddy too!
