According to Frank Sinatra, orange is the happiest of colours, but while Ol’ Blue Eyes may have loved to be surrounded by it in his garden, orange is a something of a departure for me. This summer I've found myself embracing orange with an ardour suggestive of a wish to make up for lost time.
Read moreCool in the shade
A July heatwave, following a June washout. Having been caught dragging its feet, the year seems now to be charging full tilt towards high summer; baking heat, parched lawns and rock hard, bone juddering soil. We’re not quite there yet, though, and before the hot colours arrive en masse to dominate in the latter part of the month, I’m allowing myself a week or so to wallow in cool pastel shades.
Read moreHighlights from Hampton Court
I was fortunate to be allowed back by Fibrex Nurseries to help set up their displays of ferns and ivies, and pelargoniums on Sunday. A whole day in the Floral Marquee surrounded by plants in tip-top condition. But Monday was press day, and a chance to have a look around the rest of the site and see what the show gardens have to offer the visitor to Hampton Court this year.
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