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Hardy's Strike Gold at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018...
Another RHS Gold Medal to add to our collection, three new plants launched and Rob and Rosy congratulated by Mary Berry on Thirty years of Marriage .....
We were thrilled to be awarded our 23rd RHS Chelsea Gold Medal especially after one of the most unpredictable Springs we have experienced here at the nursery. Our stand was missing so many of our Chelsea stalwarts, the IRIS sibirica were refusing to flower and most of our ALLIUM's had bloomed and were finished for the season. But as ever, undaunted by the challenge Rosy worked her magic combining plants to create new and imaginative planting combinations for the Chelsea public to admire and hopefully take home and try in their own gardens.
Geum 'Scarlet Tempest' & Knautia arvensis
NEW PLANTS - 2018 marks 30 years of marriage for Robert and Rosy Hardy so perhaps it was fate that we should be launching the aptly named Salvia 'Kisses and Wishes' on behalf of its breeder at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show .... Salvia 'Kisses and Wishes' was discovered as a mutation from Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’ by Sarah Jane Knott of Southwater near Horsham in 2015. Sarah gave propagation material to Graham Spencer of Plants For Europe and Dyson's nurseries undertook trials of the plant soon after. "We have been very impressed by both its stability and distinct colour, which can best be described as rose-pink. It combines beautifully with ‘Wendy’s Wish’ and ‘Love and Wishes’ and is sure to be a bestseller! Our friends Rosy and Rob Hardy of Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants will be launching it at Chelsea this year " Dyson's Nursery
This last minute addition to our New Plants for Chelsea Flower Show is sure to prove popular with Salvia fans.
The Second of our Chelsea launches was our very own Gaillardia ‘Apricot Honey’, which Rosy has been evaluating and propagating for over two years at the nursery. As its names suggests, this 70cm high Gaillardia produces large, soft apricot flowers throughout the summer. Its elegant free form and gently arching habit, make it ideal for the middle of a warm sunny border, or in a large container.
Last but by no means least the third New Plant from our trio of RHS Chelsea introductions - Polemonium yezoense ‘Kaleidoscope’ which was bred in 2001 at Dunmore Nursery. This striking plant is sure to attract lots of attention.
Its foliage emerges cream flushed, deep pink and red and matures to bronze green with creamy yellow variegation, maintaining a pink flush. Its purple blue flowers reach 60 cm and it makes a good compact plant for the front of a sunny or partially shaded border, or in a container.
Polemonium yezoense ‘Kaleidoscope’
All About Greg Pearson -
We are hugely grateful to Greg Pearson a young sculptor specialising in metal garden features and structures. His moving "Giant Globe Sculptures" were mesmerising and fitted in perfectly with Rosy's RHS Chelsea display.
In Greg's own words - "Brought up in a heavily influential design and art family setting, I have grown a passion for abstract shapes and natural form. I now love creating unique garden and outdoor features working almost exclusively in metal – mostly steel.
I seek inspiration from all types of gardens and settings, and favour the theme of using single lengths of material to create sculptures with unique and provoking shapes and forms, not purposely based on any existing flower or plant – instead creating new ones, to fill the imaginary void in ones garden flowerbed! All of my sculptures are completely handmade, hand bent and shaped by eye. This lets all pieces be unique and have a natural organic feel. Watch the video to see the full making process of a simple rebar miniature globe.
I’m based in Effingham, Surrey, where I share fantastically well equipped family workshop, and I’m always close to nature and inspiration in our garden and surrounding woodland.
If you would like to contact me for any reason such as buying work, viewing, commissions or general enquiries just email or phone – [email protected] – 07894513955. I pay close attention to my emails and check spam regularly, so if you are trying to reach me and I have not replied please check that you have the correct email address – .co.uk NOT .com.
I am able to create bespoke variations of almost everything you see on my sculptures or instagram page, things can be tailored to your request in size, material etc. Stainless steel is generally possible for most designs, but is harder to work on and so usually a higher price."
IF you fell in love with Greg's work at the Chelsea Flower Show you can find out all you need to know HERE
