Bloomin' Lovely

It's the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London this week  - an event which always lifts my spirits, and  given that I have just heard we are experiencing the coldest Spring since the 1960's, I take my hat off to all the plantsmen and women who have achieved the impossible with their stands and showgardens.

Avon Bulbs of Somerset. Photo: RHS images

 Aren't these dahlias in the Grand Pavilion stunning?

The National Dahlia Collection of Cornwall. Photo: RHS Images

WaterAid's slightly hippy, Indian-inspired showgarden full of tumbling, spice coloured marigolds.

Wateraid Garden, Chelsea Flower Show 2013. Photo: Jane Mingay

Running in tandem with the Flower Show and in association with the RHS, Chelsea in Bloom is a prestigious floral art street show whereby the Chelsea retailers compete against each other for 'Best Floral Display' transforming their shop windows and storefronts into works of art. Now in its 8th year, this year's theme is 'Decades' to tie in with the Flower Show's centenary this year:

The White Company. Photo: Chelsea in Bloom

The White Company has gone for a 1920's Gatsby feel - I'm loving the yellow floral car.

Photo: www.thewomensroomblog.com

Space NK is channelling 1930's Art Deco dressing table elegance: 

Space NK. Photo: Chelsea in Bloom

The perfume bottle and lipstick are entirely made from carnations.

Photo: www.thewomensroomblog.com

Mary Quant is a natural for the Swinging Sixties and her iconic dress and logo made from gerberas are jauntily displayed outside the shop:

Mary Quant. Photo: Chelsea in Bloom

Photo: www.womensroomblog.com

Brora is in a hippy mood with beautiful knitted flowers adorning the dress - "Make Cashmere, not War" - quite. Check out the floral afro - hilarious.

Brora. Photo: www.thewomensroomblog.com

Whilst Kate Spade has also chosen the 'Mods and Rockers' of the same decade, with beautiful use of blue and white hydrangeas.

Kate Spade. Photo: Chelsea in Bloom

With my poor garden struggling to bloom, and such plants as there are being smashed by the wind and rain, it's lovely to see so much floral colour and fun in an urban setting. Let's hope it catches on. In the meantime feeling Chelsea Flower Show inspired, I'm off to knock up some floral art - I'll let you know how it turns out.