Platinum for Hardy's at BBC Gardeners World Live 2024

Designed by Rosy, who built the display with Rob;  we were absolutely delighted to achieve a Platinum Award, equivalent to an RHS Gold Medal, for our display of peat free grown seasonal herbaceous perennials at BBC Gardeners World Live which ran from 13 - 16 June 2024.  

Our success was even more satisfying this year, as the wet spring and ongoing cold weather along with low light levels impacted upon the range of plant material that was of display standard. Plants came into flower at slightly different times and plants in pots had not rooted out as fast as normal.   

Our displays are always truly 'seasonal', as our plants are not forced on with heat or light;  merely protected from the worst of the elements in unheated polytunnels.    Even so, this year's available plant material was a little different from what's usually available at this time of year.

Despite the challenges, Rosy, created a display which was a painting of flowers which had movement and softness.  There was lots of colour and some interesting combinations such as  Silene coronaria 'Alba' planted with Stipa tenuissima, Allium cristophii , Potentilla atrosanguinea and Trifolium rubens 'Frosty Feathers'

During the show we had a visit from BBC Gardeners World Live presenter, Sue Kent, who filmed at our stand. 

Sue's report about Silene coronaria 'Alba' featured in the BBC 2 Gardeners World Live TV programme broadcast that evening.    This white variety of Silene coronaria is more unusual than the more common vivid pink variety. It's ideal for a white border or container, with white and green planting being a favourite at this year's RHS Chelsea flower show. 

To see the BBC Gardeners World Live from the NEC programme, watch  BBC iPlayer - Gardeners World - 2024: Episode 13 

Thanks to everyone who came and visited our display and bought plants, BBC Gardeners World Live is an important show for us, because it provides an opportunity to meet our customers in the Midlands and beyond.   We don't travel so far north as we used to. So it's lovely to be a bit further up the country.