Wiltshire Shows Gardening Expertise At Chelsea Flower Show

Wiltshire gardeners put on a great show during 2010 at the most significant flower show on the planet – The RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

2010 saw Raymond Blanc preparing food in the Smallbone Alfresco Kitchen on Main Avenue. Smallbone offer bespoke luxurious indoor and outdoor kitchens and they are based in Brompton Road, Devizes. They in fact designed and built the kitchen for Raymond’s cookery school at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons. Owner Leo Caplan was available to show visitors round the ‘oak and silver’ kitchen. Honey coloured European Oak, polished nickel handels, dark Marinus granite, glass and steel created the interior of the kicthen, whilst The Orangery (created by Amdega Conservatories) bathed the cooking area in natural light from the glass atrium roof. The doors open up into the garden and terrace, designed by Chelsea gold medal winner Stephen Woodhams. Box hedging defines the eating area and a fireplace makes eating out workable, even on cooler nights.

The Federation of British Bonsai Societies put on a fantastic display of minature trees inside the Grand Pavillion. Reg Bolton from the Swindon and District branch proudly displayed the collection of neatly manicured bonsai.

If art work is your thing, the stand from Devizes floral artist Ann Swan was the area to head for. Beautiful paintings of blooms and trees covered the walls. Detailed pencil drawings and paintings illustrate flowers beautifully. Ann is among the United kingdom’s leading botanical artists and has even supplied royalty.

Philip Simmonds impressed with his classy blue handmade sculptural ceramic pots. He’s based in Chippenham and has received numerous RHS certificates of merit. His calming designs are usually influenced by architectural and garden styles, and celebrate the beautiful colour palette of changeable English weather conditions.

The National Association of Flower Arranging Societies put on a fanatstic exhibit in The Grand Pavillion. Shirley Preston from Bradford-On-Avon and the Devon and Cornwall team set up the impressive stand that won a Silver-Gilt Medal. NAFAS is an educational charitable organisation focused on the promotion of the creative use of all kinds of plant material via the medium of its flower clubs for both adults and children.

Agralan, the plant protection specialists from Swindon, Kit Stone conservatory furniture and accessories suppliers from Swindon, The Botanic Nursery from Melksham and Westdale Nurseries from Bradford-On-Avon were also at the show.

The 2011 show is 24th – 28th May.

About the Author

If you are looking for garden furniture, take a look at metal garden furniture and resin weave garden furniture for a change from wood.

Working On A Pre-Bonsai Part 2 of 3

9greenbox – Live Lucky 5 Braided Money Tree Into 1 Pachira with Handmade Ceramic Pot Plants Lucky for 2012 $9.99 We’re selling 7 plants Braided into 1 about7″~10″ live plant. Come with Beauty Ceramic pot size is 3″ x 3″ x 3″…

2 SQUARE 3 &4 UNGLAZED CERAMIC BONSAI POTS HAND MADE $6.95 Here is a nice set of 2 square unglazed bonsai pots. Nicely footed with raised side panels. One is 4″ square by 2-1/4″ deep, the other is 3″ square by 2″ deep. Hand made of high fired all natural clay, there are no chemical additives used to enhance the color. The first photo shows a Fuchsia Mycrophylla mame planted in the smallest of these, using akadama. These pots are also great for cactus…

9GreenBox – Live 3 Layer Cake Lucky Bamboo Plant Arrangement w/ Frog & Lotus Handmade Ceramic Pot 40 stalk *GIFT* $16.99 We’re selling one of this rare treasure! , The diameter of this plant is about 40 x 8″-10″ tall and 3 Tier. Please see the picture for the detail look for this Lucky Bamboo. Will include small amount of crystal soil to insurance you receive the top quality of the luck bamboo. We will ship with care instruction tag….

Happy Bonsai Handcrafted Rectanglar Zisha Pot 2 Height Authentic zisha pot made in Yixing, Jiangsu province , the famous pottery capital of China…

9greenbox – Live Happy Twist Plants Money Tree Into 1 Pachira with handmade Ceramic Pot and Pebble Stone $16.99 We’re selling 1 pot about 6″~9″ live plant. Will ship with Beauty ceramic pot and pebble stone. Pot style may vary !!…

Stainless Steel 3 Piece Scoop Set $29.95 Stainless steel 3 piece scoop set. Handy for mixing bonsai soil and for scooping bonsai soil into bonsai pots.

Humidi-Grow Bonsai Tray $17.95 The Humidi-Grow Tray allows you to use pots with drain holes without worrying about excess water pouring out and causing structural or furniture damage. The overflow will pass through this pot and collect in the tray where the settled water will evaporate and help offset the loss of transpiration which is the loss of moisture through the leaves. Designed for minimal care. Just wash the tray and grid with mild soap and water occasionally, then refill with water. Size: 13 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ x 2 1/4″

Mica Bonsai Pot – Cascade – 8.5×8.5×14.5 $99.95 Mica pots imported from Korea are made of 80% mica, 15%polyethelene and 5% graphite. Mica has a natural ability to stabilize the temperature of the soil in the pots. This promotes healthy root activity during the growing season and protects during the cold periods. These pots are extremely durable and will withstand the elements for years.

Bonsai Pot – Mica Cascade – 10.5×10.5×10.5 $79.95 Mica pots imported from Korea are made of 80% mica, 15% polyethelene and 5% graphite. Mica has a natural ability to stabilize the temperature of the soil in the pots. This promotes healthy root activity during the growing season and protects during the cold periods. The pots are extremely durable and will withstand the elements for years.

Plastic 3 Piece Scoop Set $12.95 Heavy duty three (3) piece scoop set with screen. Handy for mixing bonsai soil and for scooping bonsai soil into bonsai pots. Imported from Japan.

Mica Bonsai Pot – Oval 17×11.75×4.0 $56.95 Mica Pots imported from Korea are made of 80% mica, 15% polyethelene and 5% graphite. Mica has a natural ability to stabilize the temperature of the soil in the pots. This promotes healthy root activity during the growing season and protects during the cold periods. These pots are extremely durable and will withstand the element for years. The pot has a wide lip and is dark brown in color.

Mica Forest Bonsai Pot – Oval – 21.75×12.75×2.25 $109.95 Mica pots are made of 80% mica, 15% polyethelene and 5% graphite. Mica has a natural ability to stabilize the temperature of the soil in the pots. This promotes healthy root activity during the growing season and protects during the cold periods. The polyethelene bonds raw materials together and makes the pots tough and durable. Therefore the pots seldom break. Graphite gives color and prevents discoloring. Mica pots have the appearance of high quality unglazed ceramic pots but they are much less expensive. 21.75″x12.75″x2.25″. Dark brown in color.

Imported Glazed Ceramic Bonsai Pots – Green Rectangle – 7 x 5 x 2 $8.95 Imported glazed ceramic pot. Measures 7″ x 5″ x 2″

Mica Forest Bonsai Pot – Oval – 19.5×11.25×2.0 $89.95 Mica Pota are made of 80% mica, 15% polyethelene and 5% graphite. Mica has a natural ability to stabilize the temperature of the soil in the pots. This promotes healthy root activity during the growing season and protects during the cold periods. The polyethelene bonds raw materials together and makes the pots tough and durable. Therefore the pots seldom break. Graphite gives color and prevents discoloring. Mica pots have the appearance of high quality unglazed ceramic pots but they are much less expensive. 19.5″x11.25″x2.0″. Dark brown color.

Mica Bonsai Pot – Round Drum Style 11×4.0 $49.95 Mica Pots imported from Korea are made of 80% mica, 15% polyethelene and 5% graphite. Mica has a natural ability to stabilize the temperature of the soil in the pots. This promotes healthy root activity during the growing season and protects during the cold periods. These pots are extremely durable and will withstand the element for years. The pot is dark brown in color.

Mica Bonsai Pot – Rectangle 21 1/2x15x6 $89.95 Mica pots imported from Korea are made of 80% mica, 15% polyethelene and 5% graphite. Mica has a natural ability to stabilize the temperature of the soil in the pots. This promotes healthy root activity during the growing season and protects during the cold periods. These pots are extremely durable and will withstand the elements for years. The pot has a wide lip and is dark brown in color .

Oval Mica Bonsai Pot – 14 x 9 3/4 x 4 $25.95 Mica pots from Korea are made of 80% mica, 15% polyethylene and 5% graphite. Mica has a natural ability to stabilize the temperature of the soil in the pots. This promotes healthy root activity during the growing season and protects during the cold periods. These pots are durable and will withstand the elements for years. The pot has a wide lip and is dark brown in color.

Oval Mica Bonsai Pot – 11 1/4 x 8 x 3 $24.95 Mica pots from Korea are made of 80% mica, 15% polyethylene and 5% graphite. Mica has a natural ability to stabilize the temperature of the soil in the pots. This promotes healthy root activity during the growing season and protects during the cold periods. These pots are durable and will withstand the elements for years. The pot has a wide lip and is dark brown in color

Stainless Steel 3 Piece Scoop Set With Screen $34.95 Stainless steel 3 piece scoop set with screen. Handy for mixing bonsai soil and for scooping bonsai soil into bonsai pots. These scoops have fine built-in screens (17 meshes per inch) which sift out dust as you scoop.

Pots in the Kitchen $46.67 "Pots in the Kitchen" traces the development of handmade pots used for cooking in Britain from the beginning of the 20th century. Clay pots from Morocco, South America, Spain, and India, casseroles, baking dishes, together with many humble pots such as cutlery drainers, colanders, and lemon squeezers are all celebrated in this book as never before. With special features illustrating potters at work, this book shows how leading makers create their unique handmade pots in step-by-step sequences. Practical guidance is given on how to cook with handmade pottery and, for potters, there is essential information about clay bodies and firing pots.

Lava Rock Bonsai Pot $24.95 Lava Rock Bonsai Pot

The Bonsai Kit [With Other] $28.11 This kit is a splendid introduction to the ancient art of growing mature, reduced-scale trees in small spaces. An engrossing horticultural project sure to captivate any level of gardening enthusiast, bonsai involves training and trimming trees over time to simulate weathering, age, twisting, cascading, and other natural conditions. Bonsai expert Robert W. King discusses all the basics, from root health to branch pattern and placement, in a 96page book. Includes two pots, peat pellet, scissors, potting stones, seeds, and flexible wire used to shape, position, and train branches — everything needed to nurture a tree that, whether sensually windswept or formally upright, is a beautiful work of living art. Robert W. King lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He has been president of the Brandywine Bonsai Society since 1998, and has taught bonsai extensively, including an introductory course at Longwood Gardens. King received the American Bonsai Society’s Ben Oki Award for excellence in dedication, education, and leadership.

Bonsai Display Table – 12.5 Round $49.95 Bonsai display stand to show off your best bonsai.

Bonsai Display Table – 9 Round $34.95 Bonsai display stand to show off your best bonsai.

Ceramic Bonsai Pot – Cascade 3.0×4.0 $5.95 Ceramic bonsai pot – cascade