Grow London is a contemporary garden fair, with 2014 being it’s very first year. We were lucky enough to be given free tickets to the event by our friends at Beefayre who were exhibiting, so we couldn’t miss the opportunity to get out of the office for a day.
I had the most heavenly day, helped of course by the lovely weather and the fact that, quite by chance, we managed to park right next to the entrance – always handy for ferrying purchases to the car. I didn’t have any preconceived ideas about how it would be as I hadn’t read up about the event but from the moment we arrived I was blown away by the styling at the entrance, followed up by wine tasting as you enter the marquee. What a way to start the day!
The styling of the whole event was outstanding with four feature areas by different designers, even my daughters loved the whole vibe of the marquee and that says something as my ramblings on gardening falls on very deaf ears. And of course the food was delicious, which always helps.
The beautiful Burford Garden Company stand.
Throughout the three days there was an extensive selection of gardening related talks – unfortunately we only managed to attend the one by the delightful Chris Beardshaw (I must admit to having a crush on Chris). And of course lots of lovely specialist plant stalls with knowledgeable owners – some of whom I had heard of before but others to add to my list when sourcing plants. We watched Peter Dibble weaving a willow obelisk – he makes it look so easy but I don’t think I will be attempting it anytime soon! I bought one for my youngest son (the only gardener in the family) to inspire him, as learning how to weave willow is on his to do list.
Peter Dibble at work.
Of course I came away with lots of plants – I say of course because it’s compulsory to buy plants when surrounded by so many beautiful options and, as I said to my girls when they squeezed into the small space available to them in the car on the way home, it would be rude not to.
A stunning display of terrariums by The Urban Botanist.
There was a good range of exhibitors for the non-gardener from the lovely soap company Caurnie with their range of chemical free products and Beefayre, who specialise in beautifully scented bee products to garden brocante, where I bought a very lovely old copper watering can for houseplants – so pretty to look at as well as practical.
Grow London was small but perfectly formed and I will be back for more next year.
Jacqui x
Sourcebook: Grow London by Jacqui Brooks
