Wednesday 6 August 2008
Been and Gone
- We got the garden finished by the skin of our teeth: I was still tarting up the accessories when the judges came and did their stuff and asked me, politely, to clear off
- BBC filmed us a few times: did the opening of the TV coverage from the roof garden with Rachel De Thame and Joe Swift
- Press loved the garden, so did the photographers!
- Gala night was very wet in true Hampton Court Show style, but the fireworks looked great from the roof garden
- We got a Silver-Gilt Medal! A bit disappointed it wasn't the Gold but the hedge and couple of other bits and pieces let us down
- Visitors loved the garden!
- I spent a bit of time catching the sun on the roof terrace and dodging the rain in the garden room
The garden is all gone now. Going there on breakdown was quite sad and I felt a bit emotional seeing the building reduced to a pile of rubble. All that work and you are left with a flattened building site!
Still, who knows what will happen at next year's show. Watch this space!
Saturday 5 July 2008
Almost there
I've got a live radio interview on site with Geoff Hodge for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire in the morning and previously to that, a two minute slot with the RHS assessors, a sort of advance party for the judges, to tell them about the garden. They have a written Client's Brief to refer to as well so it's more of a quick blurt about the key points/features and any plant changes. There haven't been any radical ones although some of my perennials I wanted to use are swapped (see earlier blogs!) with others. Essentially, I've created the effect I was aiming for with a slightly different palette of plants but I'm happy with that.
Wednesday 2 July 2008
Willing hands
Sunday 29 June 2008
Up on the roof
I did a quick radio interview today for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on Sue Dougan's show and I was asked if the site restrictions, such as wearing dayglo high-vis vests caused any restrictions. 'The main restriction,' I said, 'is that my sun-tan isn't very even in a high-vis vest.' Well, a girl has to get her priorities right...
The building looks so fantastic! The timber cladding started to go on today, even though I'm getting used to the sexy black exterior it's had for a few days (this is just for the spaces between the timbers). Trees are being planted and whoopee, plants are arriving in their droves tomorrow from Crocus and BWP. My wonderful planter-uppers arrived today, itching to get on with things: Janet from Offord Darcy, Nick from Kempston and Siobhan from Welwyn Garden City. A whole host of lovely Homebase people turn up tomorrow as well, it's going to be mayhem, but have written a long list of 'things to do' for them. I live by my lists.
I took Steve Cope, Deputy Show Manager, up to the roof garden today. He was gobsmacked and enjoyed the chance to see the show site on a different level and from a different perspective. 'The media are going to love this' he said.
Thursday 26 June 2008
Herbies go to Hampton
Wednesday 25 June 2008
Stairway to heaven
Afterward, onto Crocus for the final plant selection there with Mark Straver. I felt like a judge at a beauty parade: 'not tall enough', 'don't like the colour', 'a bit thin, not meaty enough'. Mark and I de-selected then re-selected only the promising hopefuls for the 'big day' and over lunch Mark made a short list of people to call that afternoon for more plants. After all, only the best plants make it onto the Homebase garden.
Arriving on site late afternoon and wow, the stairs are teetering into position at the side of the building! Phew, at least I won't have to climb that ladder again (I hate heights). Sam is happy as ever and he and the other guys are looking quite sun-tanned. I made a few frantic phone calls about my hedge. It's a long story, with many a sleepless night to accompany it. I haven't actually seen my hedge (have rejected one along the way) but have been assured that I will love it, and it will be perfect. Friday is supposed to be the day when it arrives on the nursery. Watch this space!
As I un-coiled my Sanguisorba from out of the car, someone from an opposite stand came up to me: 'What are those plants?'