As well as over eighty new plants at Chelsea, this year sees the arrival of a couple of old timers - one over a hundred years old. Cayeux Iris from France will have four impressive new introductions at the Show but also on display will be Iris ‘Ma Mie', originally introduced in 1906. Click on the... Read more..

What a difference a week makes. This week Wisley has proved incredibly popular with happy half termers! I expect the mild weather has been something to do with it, along with the lure of the great outdoor space we have here. But I know that the Butterflies in the Glasshouse have also enticed many visitors... Read more..

Cayeux Iris have a four generation history of introducing new irises and every year they launch new varieties, many of which are seen in Britain for the first time at the Chelsea Flower Show. For 2009 they have nine new introductions, all bred by Richard Cayeux at the family's nursery in Central... Read more..

It was tough – with the ground frozen solid, and then under 8 inches of snow – to find anything much to do in the garden during the last couple of months, but as the snow receded my snowdrops emerged in full bloom, quite unblemished. It is the same story with Helleborus x hybridus – for such delicate... Read more..

Over the years, Christine Skelmersdale has raised a continuing succession of delightful Pacific Coast irises many of which made their debut at the Chelsea Flower Show. Indeed, along with her eclectic blend of bulbs and other plants they've been a continuing feature of her exhibit. This year another... Read more..

I wrote up the bright new bicoloured Pacific Coast Iris from Broadleigh Gardens , ‘Broadleigh Fenella' , before the show. Then when I talked to Christine Skelmersdale, who runs Broadleigh, down at the show I found that she had two unexpected new introductions that she was showing at the Chelsea Flower... Read more..

Arrived at Wisley for today's trials assessment session soon after the thunderous downpour - and just look these irises! This is the Tall Bearded Iris trial just an hour or two after the torrential rain early this morning. Every flower was still beaded with rain drops and yet - they look spectacular... Read more..

The world famous French iris nursery Cayeux has been showing irises at the Chelsea Flower Show for a few years ago. But, up till now, their exhibits have been disappointing.They grow their show plants in England and this year, for the first time, their irises were grown for the show by Woottens of Wenhaston... Read more..

Tall Bearded Irises are amongst the most dramatic and colourful of perennials so the very best of them must be really impressive. And they are. The RHS Iris Sub Committee - yes, there's a sub committee just for irises - has recently had its latest awards ratified and three Tall Bearded Irises performed... Read more..