A matter of balance?

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Horticulture » Lost Worlds ... Paradise Regained | New York Social Diary — Sun, 31 May 2009 11:32:51 GMT

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re: A matter of balance?

Jean Vernon — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:01:01 GMT

Hi Digger,

I think maybe you are trying too hard to fit everything into a formula. This was a totally alternative angle on horticulture, a tangent, another dimension, a bit of fun. James May is no garden designer, and I don't think anyone voting for it thinks that he is, but I think they liked the spirit of the 'garden'. It was radical, a little bit daring and not what they expected at the RHS Chelsea show. It got them talking, it got them thinking and maybe it took them back to whatever it was that got them interested in gardens in the first place. No it wasn't botanical (even though James protested that it was botanically correct!), it wasn't even a great piece of garden design, but it was making a statement about thinking outside of the box, that maybe, just maybe, very occasionally, some gardens don't need to have plants in them to be a garden?? Radical maybe, but it's food for thought.

re: A matter of balance?

Digger — Wed, 27 May 2009 11:42:09 GMT

I'm sorry to go on, but maybe I've missed the point? I just fail to see what the plasticine garden has got to do with horticulture or what it has /will contribute to horticulture, people may vote for it but how many of those people would engage james may to design their garden for them?

re: A matter of balance?

Jean Vernon — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:33:34 GMT

Thanks for your input Bogweevil. I am sure the team will be pleased that you liked it. Did you enjoy anything else at the show?

re: A matter of balance?

Jean Vernon — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:32:20 GMT

I agree with you Digger, I wouldn't want to see another Plasticine garden, but I think it has been a very interesting 'event' at Chelsea this year and judging by the people's vote they liked it too. I do feel it has overshadowed some fabulous gardens that deserved more coverage, but it has provided an alternative link between the RHS, Chelsea and the children who might not otherwise have been interested. Chelsea and Plasticine in the same sentence is possibly a first (and last), it's been done now, lets look forward to some fresh innovation at next year's show.

re: A matter of balance?

bogweevil — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:35:02 GMT

I liked it a lot - it is very funny, surreal even, and a lot more interesting that yet another iteration of the usual small garden themes. Boggy

re: A matter of balance?

Digger — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:51:35 GMT

Encouraging children to take an interest in horticulture is a good thing, we can all agree on that. But i hope we don't see any more of this nonsense at Chelsea again