Meconopsis punicea
Show gardens, celebrities, designers and who got what medal are the main headlines during Chelsea week but we all know that the plants are the true stars of the show.As I wandered through the gardens and stands I kept a keen look out for individual plants that I liked or hadn’t seen before and I’ve dedicated this post to just a handful of them.
Meconopsis x cookie ‘Old Rose’
Meconopsis on the Harperley Hall Farm Nurseries display really grabbed my attention. Meconopsis are fast becoming a love of mine. Meconopsis cambrica is looking great in my garden at present and I wouldn’t mind adding Meconopsis punicea and Meconopsis x cookie ‘Old Rose’ to the collection.
Aquilegia viridiflora ‘Chocolate Soldier’ with Geum ‘Marmalade’ in the background
Aquilegias are everywhere at Chelsea this year but one particular cultivar stood out for me. Much more subtle than most with small chocolate brown and lime green hues, Aquilegia viridiflora ‘Chocolate Soldier’ looked splendid mixed with Geum ‘Marmalade’ at the ‘APCO Garden’.
Trifolium repens ‘Dragon’s Blood’
Trifolium repens ‘Dragon’s Blood’ was a surprise find from Edulis Nursery. I loved the green and cream leaves with dark red veining down the centre, the dragons blood. I could see me using this in containers as it would certainly add interest and brighten the display.
Peony ‘Clair de Lune’
And finally, my last pick comes from Andy Sturgeon’s: ‘The M&G Garden’. Peony ‘Clair de Lune’, referred to as the fried egg flower by one onlooker at the show, stood out amongst a sea of smaller flowering plants. This Peony has creamy-white petals contrasted by a yolky center of stamens and dark red stems.
