We have thoroughly enjoyed the footage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this week. As plants are at the heart of our business here at Cowell's, it was wonderful to see them in abundance in this year's gardens. With many of the gardens featuring swaths of fabulous foliage and a mass of flowers, this year's gardens were a real plant lovers' paradise.
Martin picked out his favourites after visiting the show earlier this week. You can read his picks here. He obviously has good taste as his favourite show garden was The Perennial Garden 'With Love', which went on to win the People's Choice award! Other favourites amongst the team included The RNLI Garden by Chris Beardshaw and Morris & Co. by Ruth Willmott.
We've taken a look at these, as well as the other gardens, and picked out our top 6 Chelsea plant trends for 2022:
- Cirsium - with its rich crimson flowerheads, this perennial could be seen adding depth and colour to several gardens. Easy to grow and attractive to pollinators, it is a great addition to mixed borders.
- Geum - always a favourite of the Chelsea designers this popular perennial is super easy to grow and has a fantastically long flowering season. Tall, elegant stems give this beauty a light, airy appearance.
- Lupin - wonderful spikes of Lupin flowers were seen popping up in many of the gardens, adding rich tones to some and soft pastels to others. Known as a cottage garden favourite but actually very versatile, Lupins can be incorporated into many garden styles.
- Digitalis - better known as Foxgloves, Digitalis could been found in many of the gardens where their tall, graceful flower spikes could be seen swaying in the wind. Another perennial that pollinators love and incorpates well into mixed borders.
- Iris - whether delicate blue varieties or bold bearded types, Iris featured in many designs throughout the show. Available in a vast range of colours and easy to grow, Iris are always a popular choice with gardeners.
- Allium - often seen at Chelsea in rich blue and purple shades, this year white Alliums were seen in soft, neutral pallettes. With tall, graceful flower heads, Allium are perfect to add architectural height to beds and borders.
It was also wonderful to see some native trees being showcased this year, with Crataeugus (Hawthorn), Alnus (Alder), Salix (Willow) and Cornus (Dogwood) all featuring in gardens.
If you have been inspired by the gardens at Chelsea and want to recreate the look at home, pay us a visit and you will find plants in abundance and our friendly team who are always happy to help.
