Yesterday we went to Chelsea to meet our contractor, Andrew Ball from BigFish Landscapes, Jenny and Liz from the RHS, Matilda (GWL social media) as well as the other ‘Metamorphosis’ designers (Caspian, Jo, and Lucinda and their contractors) and Roger Platts (the multiple RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winning designer) who is our mentor. It was a whirlwind day. The atmosphere in the build up to Chelsea is electric and there is so much camaraderie, it doesn’t feel like a competition at all!

We lurked about on the Cloudy Bay garden, talking to the delightful  Rich brothers who have a room on tracks that can move. We ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ over the plants from Hortus Loci, they were looking gorgeous, no wonder they are the popular choice for show quality plants! We really lucked out with our choice of landscaper. Andrew Ball is very experienced, re-assuring and inspired us with confidence. Roger Platt took us for a tour to talk to some of the show garden designers. They were full of enthusiasm, very welcoming and eager to share ‘show garden’ tips.

After the tour Matilda wanted to do some impromptu filming, still trying to get my head around all that ‘meedja’ stuff! Spotted this little bit of ‘meadow planting’ making a break for freedom

and this beautifully carved Taxus.

We are so lucky to be doing this!