The Chelsea Flower Show
The Chelsea Flower Show
This Monday, Geordie and I are at the Chelsea Flower show which takes place at The Royal Hospital, Chelsea. The show was first established as an annual event in 1913 and has grown into a world famous attraction with huge pavilions, show Gardens built from scratch and international competitors. Thanks to the pandemic, we were last walking around and admiring the gardens and stalls in 2019 so it is lovely to be going back. It just a joy - the art of the dream and what is possible.
Geordie and I both adore gardening and hope that one of our legacies will be the gardens we have established once more at Highclere. Much of what had been built and grown here over centuries disappeared during and after the First and Second World Wars and, although the Parkland and trees remained majestically impressive, there were not enough meandering glades with filtered lights and colours and bulbs, surprises, cosy corners and views - well none, really.
The 6th Earl however had created the Secret Garden and we have just planted for more seasons so that it has a longer period of flowering. We have done the same in the Monks’ Garden and the White border. There is now more diversity and longevity of planting and the beds are a little fuller.
Beyond these Garden “rooms” is the Wood of Goodwill, the trees and winding walks with their hidden benches offering views, colours and scents to pause at and enjoy. With time lapse bulb planting in swoops and swathes it is, we hope, a joy to wander though. The Six Sisters Walnut Tree Walk leads to the Rose Arbour, from which you walk down a bank into the Wild Garden, the gate beyond leading up towards a further area planted for Lady Catherine in memory of Geordie’s grandmother. Just by the old Salt Hill is our latest project, a new glade to commemorate my mother-in-law. It is defined by white roses with just blue and white planting and looks across the park towards the west and the sunset. Trees were planted behind here for Geordie’s aunt Penelope.
The Wildflower meadow falls down the south facing slope in front of the castle lawns, the healing herb garden is just beyond the Courtyard and on the East lawns, the azaleas and specimen trees are just now a burst of wonderful clashing bright colours grouped in front of, and framing, the temple.
It means that visitors can wander and explore, to stand and stare, to sit and experience the scents, colours and sounds. Naturally, it also means that there is a lot more to look after but it is not designed to be perfect either. Around the rose arbour are nettles and weeds and long grass and we don’t use sprays and chemicals to control pests either. It all helps to encourage the insects and birds.
We mow paths through the wilder areas where is easy to walk but do not mow everywhere. In return, we have found that miraculously, bee orchids, other native British orchids as well as a wealth of wild flowers are once more flourishing. From one tree, a rose planted a few years ago will soon rain down with flowers. Last year, it was so pretty it was intensely moving.
This year’s Flower Show will be slightly different for us and much more personal as we are launching two roses with Philip Harkness Roses. One is a red rose tinged with white and is a climber called “Highclere Castle”. The other is a cream shrub rose with glossy dark green leaves and a lovely scent.
The cream petals open to show a pale apricot tinge inside which I am so honoured to have named after me as “Lady Carnarvon”. It is a very British project: roses grown in this country by a leading British Rose grower. This year we will have some available to sell and hopefully more in the next two or three years. It is tremendously exciting.
I cannot begin to count how many roses Geordie and I have planted at Highclere and how many hours we have spent planning colour and scent combinations. Personally, I think cream roses work amongst the grey leaves of sage, with Johnson’s blue geraniums, next door to blowsy extravagant deep pink peony’s but everyone has their own favourites.
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95 Comments
I have been lucky enough to attend the Chelsea Flower Show a couple of times, and to visit Highclere. I always enjoy your newsletters—never more so than today. I revel in your descriptions of walks and roses, knowing full well that they are resplendent because of hard work and dirty fingernails behind the scenes. Thank you for sharing your flowers.
Your description of the gardens at Highclere are divinely captivating. How beautiful it must be. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words - it is a beautiful rose
Thank you!
Oh what beautiful roses and such an honour to have one named after you! Might the roses be available on the Highclere website I wonder? The Chelsea Flower Show is such a joy! I went for the very first time in my 57 years last year when it was held in September following the pandemic lockdowns. It really is a feast for the eyes for those of us who adore gardening… I hope yourself and Geordie have a wonderful day!
Hello,
I just want to let you know how much I enjoy your information about Highclere and surrounding areas I love seeing all the photos! Highclere is on my bucket list to come and visit some day!
Beverly
Bolivia NC
Would love to return to Highclere to see the lovely new flowers! You are amazing stewards.
The rose named after you evokes the purity and light that you share with others. And you are so blessed to have a husband that shares your joys. I have a plaque in my garden that says “You are never closer to God than in a garden.” Thank you for sharing yours with us.
Also reading on a rainy, dreary morning in North Carolina. Thank you, Lady Carnarvon, for such bright, vivid, uplifting descriptions!
Many thanks for sharing the amazing pictures of the Chelsea flower show.
Hello Lady Carnarvon
It is autumn here and our roses are almost spent. Right across the front of the house we have pale pink Standard Roses and at the side and back we have a mixture of our favourites. My husband stands guard over our mowing man (just in case he breaks one off)and I think he is becoming paranoid lest he does! I commiserate with the poor man and send him home with spinach, tomatoes, lettuce and whatever is growing :)
My husband does the pruning using a slide rule, religiously fertilizes them to the day they need doing using only a special Rose Food, tests the pH level of the soil and uses a water meter on them so they don't get wet feet. The men in white coats in little green trucks are coming to pick him up next week for enforced treatment LOL. I do have to admit the roses always look wonderful, dark green shiny leaves and buds as big as tea cups so I should cancel the men in the little green trucks.
I think a mark of his success should be measured by how many people in our street have put in rose gardens and who come to him for advice.
Me? I used to throw general purpose fertilizer around in copious amounts about once a month in the growing season, water occasionally (only the roots never the foliage), plant them in awful soil rocks and all and guess who won first prize three times at our local show? Moi? Roses don't like good soil the heavier the better, lots of fertilizer (voracios feeders) and pruning with a chain saw. Don't molly coddle otherwise they up stakes and go to Rose heaven :( No matter how you look after them they are survivors and are seen growing up against fences along the roads with no care or attenton and covered in flowers.
So enjoy your roses and they will outlast you with very little care.......unless you employ my husband to take care of them :) :) Be well
Joy Roebig
Hello , absolutely stunning is the Chelsea Flower Show as are the gardens at Highclere they are so beautiful the Secret Garden is my favourite. I would certainly love to come back to visit highclere .
A beautiful flower for a beautiful lady.
How very appropriate.
I am traveling with some ladies from South Carolina to England on May 25th. We will be visiting you at Highclere on the 29th and we cannot wait to see your beautiful castle and gardens. I have enjoyed your blog over the years. Thank you for your inspiration and kindness.
We hope that you will soon be able to come to Italy to organize an event that will spread the knowledge of the Carnarvon estate. Our friends, owners of a beautiful castle in Piedmont, would be very happy to host the initiative.
Best regards
Monday greetings Lady Carnarvon,
How wonderful that you and Lord Carnarvon are able to be at the Chelsea Garden Show once again!
It was a favorite of mine the two years we lived in London.
Congratulations on roses named after you! They are lovely and I am certain will carry on for eras going forward!
Also how lovely that you both share a loving interest in gardening. Lucky for you both.
Remain well and thank you again for another lovely and soothing Monday morning read.
I'm so excited to see an article about the Chelsea Flower Show. We leave this morning for our flight from Winnipeg, Canada to London for a two week holiday. We have tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show on Thursday and we are so looking forward to it. Thank you for all your wonderful Monday morning stories.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I was fortunate to visit Highclere Castle on May 11 for the Living in a Castle tour. You were absolutely brilliant and your talk was a memory that I will always treasure. Visiting your castle, your home, was the highlight of our trip. Unfortunately, it was raining cats and dogs, so I will just have to start planning to return to enjoy the amazing lawn and gardens! Thank you for all of your efforts to improve the already impressive beauty of Highclere!
Dear Lady Canarvon,
I love flowers and love gardens with meaning. Your estate has so many pockets of garden settings and I hope to be walking through your gates for a tour soon. Do you think your roses will be available in the USA? If so, I’ll be first in line to grab one for my flower beds. Thank you for all you do.
Michele
Your newsletter is a bright spot on my Monday mornings. Today I felt as if I was walking in the gardens of Highclere….and hope to make that a reality one day. Thank you for your weekly missives.
How lovely your flower gardens must be. And how wonderful to have a rose named after you. It reminded me of the film “Mrs. Miniver” in which she, too, had a rose named after her just before WWII. I hope to visit this summer to see it all for myself.
Lady Carnarvon lovely pictures of Chelsea flowers show did you and lord Carnarvon have a nice weekend and lovely to visit highcelere castle
Oh my - your wonderful descriptions of the Wood of Goodwill; The Six Sisters Walnut Tree Walk; Rose Arbour; The Wild Garden; The Healing Herbs Garden and so much more have taken me back there this Monday morning. Still enjoying good memories of celebrating my 60th birthday with a trip to visit your beautiful home in May of 2019. Dreaming of returning again in May of 2023.
Now I'm going to Google Chelsea Flower Show!
The "Highclare" and "Lady Carnarvon" are absolutely gorgeous. The cream colored one reminds me of one I had called Sombreuil. It's had a heady scent that filled my garden in spring and fall. Enjoy the show!
How do you keep aphids off your roses?
Your roses are beautiful! My dad was an avid gardener and cultivated many varieties of roses. The backyard of my childhood home was full of some very pretty and colorful blooms every year. Plus, my dad kept a rose garden behind his shop ( he was a jeweler). My dad instilled a real love of roses in me and they remain as my favorite flower. I loved the description of your gardens at Highclere. They sound heavenly! Maybe one day I can get across the pond and see them.
Lady Carnarvon lovely the pictures of Chelsea flowers show thank you for send me the pictures l enjoyed have them
Hello from Tennessee (USA)!
Loving all the roses and your namesakes are beautiful. I have at least 20 roses in my garden, both climbing and bushes. Just love them. I'm looking forward to seeing your gardens restored. Love the updates, hoping to visit some day soon. Cheers!
Major Celeita Breakiron
US ARMY AVIATION
No sprays or chemicals is a fine way to go. Encouraging Mother Nature to do her part as was intended. Very nice! The flowers are beautiful and the Chelsea Flower Show sounds like a marvelous way to spend some time. Cheers!
I love Monday mornings, when your blog pops up in my in box - it is a great start to the week. We don't have the best soil for roses here on the the California coast - but I just might plant one today:-)
What a perfect way to describe gardening :"the art of he dream." You truly are The Renaissance couple! Happy summer! Liza Sinclair
Thanks for the vicarious walk through your gardens. I can almost smell the roses. Love the Lady Carnarvon rose.
Lady Carnarvon, theses flowers are absolutely beautiful. I can almost smell the beauty coming through the pictures. Thank you for sharing. ( Iowa USA)
Please do visit and see the gardens in bloom
Luckily we have a beautiful day!
Wonderful!
I am sure you will enjoy Chelsea Flower show
I am so pleased you enjoyed Living in a Castle
You must visit the gardens when they are in bloom
Oh I wish you would add a vblog to these blogs as well. I love your writing but would love for you to take us on these journeys as well - ia video.
Wonderful day!
Thank you!
The Chelsea Flower show must be magnificent! I plan on coming to visit Highclere when your roses are blooming, nothing like the first bloom. How sweet that you have a rose named after you - I will have to add one to my rose garden. Lovely blog today, so happy Spring has finally sprung here! Going to see Downton Abbey tomorrow - SO EXCITED!!!
I have launched Friends of Highclere which I hope adds videos, a book club and privileged access where we can for those want to actually visit.
Enjoy the new film!
My dear Lady Carnarvon,
What a delightful post! We share a love of gardening…nothing refreshes and nourishes my soul as does a morning spent tending my small garden. I am particularly delighted this year to add a rose called “Julia Child” here in the states. Her blooms are a glorious buttery yellow. A lovely tribute to a woman I’ve admired for years. I would love to add a Lady Carnarvon rose to my garden when they become available here. The Chelsea Flower Show and a visit to Highclere are bucket list items for me. I feel like I know Highclere, having just watched the second Downton Abbey film. Such a lovely, magical place to live!
Blessings!
How beautiful I wish I could be there.
fondly Jenny
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Your elegant roses must be enjoying the extra daylight at this time of year. I am in northern Canada and the roses I once grew loved the cooler nights but especially the 17 hours of sunlight! The “Lady Carnarvon Rose” is fabulous (like you), thank you for showing it!
Doreen Hayes
Edmonton, Canada
Thank you!
Lovely blog as usual...the Roses are divine! Will they, when available through the grower or will you sell them there? I must have the creame...so lovely.
Thank you for your posts, always enjoy them:)
Carolyn Menzies
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I would love to attend the Chelsea Flower Show. It is at the top of my list. I can’t even imagine the beauty and sweet aromas one must experience. Our roses are doing beautifully this year and they bring such joy.
Enjoy the flower show,
Pam
I so enjoy your pictures and comments. Thank you for doing this blog!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for sharing, I love roses and have quite a few in my garden, these two are beautiful colours, I especially like the Lady Carnarvon rose, congratulations on having a rose named after you.
Regards
Lorraine xxx
Lady Carnarvon, what an amazing description of the flowers at Highclere. It surely must be Heaven on Earth. You both have worked so very hard and your gardeners to create such beauty. I will not be able to visit but through your blog, Instagram and now Friends of Highclere I will be there. Thank you so very much. Cheryl.
I have always wanted to visit Highclere and this blog makes me more determined!
I hope your roses do well at Chelsea.
Any chance that the roses will be available in Canada or North America?
They are sumptuous! I adore the colour.
I am so happy to hear of the wildflower meadow, we need more of those everywhere.
You have a big job looking after Highclere and an even bigger one with the gardens!
Thank you for all you do and hope to visit soon.
Roses are beautiful in a garden
Thank you
MY DEAR LADY CARNARVON,
GOOD EVENING MILADY FROM BRAZIL, .
VERY GOOD, WONDERFUL PLACE.THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING THIS UNFORGETABLE PLACE. HAPPY SPRING FOR ALL.I LOVE FLOWERS.
VILA ALEMÃ
RIO CLARO - SP
BRAZIL
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
A beautiful rose for a beautiful lady. Thank you for sharing. I do hope they will one day be available in America.
Thank you for sharing your comments and photos of the Chelsea Flower Show. Will your roses be available someday in the USA?
Fabulous writing today. I feel like I have been to the Chelsea Show. And, the comments are very entertaining! Thanks to you all
Dear Lady Carnarvon....
“If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for a moment.”
― Georgia O'Keefe
Am sure you have enjoyed the whole show! So many ideas!
I always leave visiting a show or a new garden with a design or new plant in mind.
How absolutely wonderful to have a rose named for you!
Good morning from Fort Worth, Texas. Your photos of these divine roses took me back many years ago when I was a child. My grandmother lived next door to us and loved roses. When she moved in, she brought her roses with her when she sold her farm. I remember walking home from grade school, turning a corner, and experiencing the strong, heavy scent of granny’s roses, which covered two sides of her house. She called her climbing roses “wild roses,” a deep clear red with a strong scent. I do so miss my granny and her roses. It made everything right in a lonely child’s world.
We'll be there Friday for the late event...another part of our return-to-the-UK-after-two-years celebration! Will look for "your" roses :-)
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
What a beautiful rose duo. Congratulations! My husband and I greatly enjoyed visiting the Chelsea Flower Show in 2018 and met such lovely fellow garden enthusiasts at the RHS's cocktail party and dinner.
This year, we are delighted to return to Highclere Castle with the Royal Oak/National Trust Tour on the 18th of July. We will look forward to seeing your new roses in person.
Lady Carnarvon lovely the pictures of Chelsea flowers and did you and lord Carnarvon have a nice weekend and lovely to visit highclere castle
Dear Lady Carnarvon, your touching floral post reminded me the village floral exhibition of Downton Abbey 's episode 5 series 1 when the fantastic Lady Violet surprises everyone by letting Molesley's father win the cup. Your floral and super detailed narration is as intense and romantic as Robert Burns 's poem Red red Rose :" O, my love is like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June.
O, my love is like the melody,
That is sweetly played in tune.
As fair are you, my bonnie lass,
So deep in love am I,
And I will love you still, my dear, Until all the seas go dry" . Flowers are so coloured, friendly and shining!
It sounds as though Highclere is becoming more beautiful by the hour!
Lady Carnarvon,
With memories of our Highclere visit easily brought to light, I can visualize and catch a whiff of your beautiful roses. My favorite perfume for many years is Tea Rose - many times I’ve been with others when someone said, “Where are the roses?” There obviously weren’t any in the room. I know you enjoy compliments from visitors about the lovely colors of your roses, the particular plans you and Geordie choose, and warm congratulations on your very own namesake. Thanks for taking me through a delightful memory lane!
Just continuing the journey
Thaak you
Thank you!!
We are inspired
Special moments
I would love that!
Flowers, nature, healing ...
Thank you we have a couple to plant and more to sell in the autumn
I love that poem too, Carolyn!!!
"The Lord God planted a garden
In the first white days of the world,
And He set there an angel warden
In a garment of light enfurled.
So near to the peace of Heaven,
That the hawk might nest with the wren,
For there in the cool of the even
God walked with the first of men.
And I dream that these garden-closes
With their shade and their sun-flecked sod
And their lilies and bowers of roses,
Were laid by the hand of God.
The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,–
One is nearer God’s heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
For He broke it for us in a garden
Under the olive-trees
Where the angel of strength was the warden
And the soul of the world found ease."
- Dorothy Frances Gurney (1858-1932)
That was delightfully written, Joy! (And I'm in your camp in terms of my own approach to gardening.)
I love going to garden shows or even to a garden store just to gaze at all the beautiful flowers. The two new Highclere Castle and Lady Carnarvon roses are exquisite! Congratulations on having one named for you! You and your husband are indeed leaving a wonderful legacy with your gardens and grounds as much as the castle. My friend and I saw the 2nd Downton Abbey movie and it was so wonderful! Highclere is forever etched in my mind. Here’s hoping for Downton Abbey III!
Lady Carnarvon,
Your descriptions are absolutely lovely. I look most forward to the pleasure of seeing your beautiful gardens and Highclere on Sunday, the 29th of May. This ever so special trip was planned in 2019 and finally now rescheduled. I heard you speak at the Nashville, Tennessee, Garden and Antique Show. As a matter of fact, during your book signing, you chuckled when I remarked that we call our remote control, Carson.
I was able to attend in 2014. Such a wonderful memory. Your roses are lovely.
How lovely, just like Mrs. Miniver you now have a beautiful rose named in your honor . Thank you fir sharing your stories with us every week. I truly look forward to them.❤️
Thank you
I do remember!!!
I was so disappointed to learn that we wouldn't be able to visit Highclere while we are in London in June. It has been a dream of mine as I am so enamored with the Downton series. We just saw the new movie last night. Highclere shone beautiful as usual. Perhaps you could post pictures of the gardens. Your descriptions sound lovely.
May 24, 2022
Dear Lady Carnarvon!
Oh, how much I loved to read your latest post.
Gardening, Roses and flowers are my greatest joy. I wish I could buy The Lady Carnarvon rose! It looked so beautiful!
My husband and I have worked a lot in our garden this Spring. We have cut The Roses and given them Fertilizer so I hope there Will be many this summer! I grow English David Austin Roses and I love them so much! Today it rains over here and The garden really needs it.
Thank you once more for your GREAT post and have a wonderful month of May!
How wonderful there is a rose named after you!!
Wanted to let you know I received my “Friends of Highclere” goody box and am so thrilled with all its contents, not least your lovely note.
I hope there are many many of us who are able to show their love for Highclere and all you do by becoming “Friends”. Thank you!!
Wonderful - thank you for informing us
Lady Carnarvon,
I received my “Friends of Highclere” package yesterday and am so pleased! Even the wrappings were special, as underneath the postal sticker was a handwritten address in the very English way of addressing the post! Silly me, I cut it out and am saving it with your lovely note in my ‘remembrance’ drawer. I’ve enjoyed the booklet and am waiting to use the “eyepiece!”
Cheers to you and all!
Martha G
Wonderful - thank you for informing us the parcel has arrived!
I am fortunate enough to have a few Lady Carnarvon blooms in my rose bushes. They’re gorgeous - Congratulations!
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for this Monday blog.
Lovely story with accompanying pictures of some beautiful roses.
Congratulations! on having a rose in your name's sake.
Perpetua Crawford
P.S. Went to the theater on May 21, 2022, to see the "Downton Abbey New Era" film. It lived up to my expectations.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Oh what a delightful article. I love the beautiful delicately colored rose named after you…beautiful, just like you.
Thank you for brightening a dreary rainy morning across the pond in Alabama (USA).