Chelsea Flower Show and Ten Risks to avoid in the garden

By Andy McIndoe

Risk! Is the theme of the Hillier Nurseries and Garden Centres exhibit at RHS Chelsea Flower Show that opens in just two weeks.

There are of course lots of risks involved in staging a Chelsea exhibit, but then again there are risks every season in every garden.

In a previous post I talked about the ten risks that are worth taking in the garden this year. Gardening is an adventure, and when it comes to most things horticultural my advice is: “If you are not sure if it will work, try it, it might”.

However there are a few risks that are just not worth taking because they will almost certainly yield disappointing results, however lucky you are. Don’t risk growing purple foliage shrubs in shade; they need direct sunlight to colour well. Plant in shade and the leaves turn dull brown-green.

In the Great Pavilion at Chelsea Flower Show I’m always amazed how those purple foliage shrubs lose colour from the minute they come into the filtered light.

Their leaves are still a contrast to those of other shrubs but that vibrant red-purple colour is lost.

Acer palmatum Bloodgood'
Dont use garden soil in pots

Don’t risk planting a rose where another has died or been removed unless you use mycorrhizal fungi when replanting.

These beneficial fungi produce a secondary root system that overcomes rose replant disease. At one time you had to change the soil before planting a rose where another has died or been removed.

Now by using mycorrhizal fungi when planting there is no need to do this.

Rosa 'Jude the Obscure'
Rhododendron 'colonel Coen' - Full bloom
Lavandula angustifolia Close Up
Coleus a tender bedding plant
Curly red lettuce
Climbing french beans

One final risk you absolutely must avoid: Missing ‘Risk’, the Hillier Nurseries exhibit at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show.

This year, as last, Hillier is partnering with specialist Lloyd’s insurers Beazley, people who really know a thing or two about risk. Miss it and miss out: The Chelsea Flower Show 2013; lucky for some...

Andy McIndoe

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