The Chelsea Greenhouses – Oh! So Stylish

As you know I’m obsessed with greenhouses and what to put in them to make them the most stylish place in the garden. So when I arrived at Chelsea to find three stands oozing with greenhouse style I nearly did a back flip. There are always greenhouses at Chelsea. Of course they are big ticket items and there are plenty of people buying expensive stuff so they do a roaring trade. But it’s not the house themselves I’m interested in it’s the styling. And this year some stands really surpassed themselves in that department. I was only too happy to spend some time taking photos of their creations.

A full greenhouse is a happy greenhouse. This one is bursting with colour and seating options. I do wish my greenhouse was just a tiny bit wider so that I could budge in a chair and a table. Then I could truly move in! And see the child’s lawnmover peeking out on the left?

One of the smaller greenhouses was completely given over to Cacti. I particularly like this little specimen in a jelly mould. There were lots of pots arranged on their side too with the plant almost spilling out. A Cactus seems to lend itself to spilling out.

Inbetween the greenhouses in a kind of courtyard setting there was a ladder propped up against a wall with various pots and jugs set on it. I love old enamelware with herbs planted in them, there’s something carefree and ‘grandmas kitchen garden’ about it. The tree discs balanced at the back are a good idea and the Photinia on the right brings it all to life. I have to say, though, my children would have the whole display over in seconds and the dogs would run away with the discs!

On the right, I love the little teddy bear on his miniature chair holding a seed packet with blackboards behind. A little twee but, come on, this is a show display!

More herbs in pots. This time in some stylish terracotta. Very Mediterranean. Love the Bakelite radio in the background.

And who doesn’t want a Heuchera in a kettle? I think the designers had some fun with this one. Think about the possible combinations! I might try a red wine coloured variety in a dusky green kettle.

This was the star of the show among the greenhouses. Apparently, it had been bought by a couple for each other to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Yes, there is a bath tub in the greenhouse, with a table next to it for your champagne glass. The Stephanotis that has been trained around the windows gives off so much delicious scent that you just want to eat it. The whole thing rocked my world. I was slightly worried by the lack of shades on the windows – but that’s just me.

If you’re going to use Lupins use them like this. I’m not sure how practical this is for the plant but for a temporary floral display (wedding maybe?) they are perfect. I love the box, I love the moss, I even love the Lupins.

I have a Victorian cloche like this and I’ve been fussing about it going rusty. I was ashamed to have it in the garden and have taken it down to the basement to be renovated (when I have time). I think it may find itself back in the garden, rust and all!

Ferns, Ferns, Ferns. I didn’t like Ferns when I first moved to Portland. Why? Because they are EVERYWHERE. I think I had about 25 Sword Ferns on the west side of my garden alone. I took them out and gave them to my neighbours. Now I quite like them so long as there is variety. This little box of various Ferns is just about perfect for me.