Retail Therapy at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2014

by Daniel Carruthers

The Chelsea Flower Show, now in it’s 101st year, is revered for its wonderful gardens showing the latest trends in garden design. The show does also have many other elements of inspiration too with a wide and often unsung retail section. Predominantly the Eastern Avenue is the shopaholic gardeners first port of call with everything on display ranging from hats and gardening apparel to seeds and works of art. Wares include greenhouses, lawn mowers, pots and planters, Chelsea is the perfect destination for face to face advice or to seek inspiration. It’s a great opportunity to see and try products that you might otherwise have only seen online. Throughout the week we’ll be taking a look at a few of the retailers dotted around the showground and what better place to start than with Sneeboer Tools which are also celebrating 101 years of production this year (their stand is on Pavilion Way, number 15). Dutch design and exceptional build quality it’s little surprise that Sneeboer have agents in over over 20 countries around the World. The extensive range caters for almost every garden task. Whilst the quality does come at a price it pays dividends to get to the show where you’ll be able to handle the tools and seek the assurance that these tools will last a lifetime. This year at Chelsea they are launching the Great Dixter Range and I have to confess I loved the new Tickling Fork which is now a proud addition to my garden shed.