Shakespeare and Gardens

A stunning day for the opening of the RHS flower show at Hampton Court.  There is plenty to do and see plus some great entertainment, music, bands and a bit of Shakespeare. 

35,000 Flowers

What happens to all the plants and flowers when the Chelsea flower show finishes?  Those that enter must include the answer to this question as part of their entry application.  The majority of garden installations and plants go to local communities and charities.

Today 35,000 flowers cover the steps leading from Regents Canal to Granary Square in front of St Martin's University of the Arts.  The colourful display will then be offered to the public.  So if you want some marigolds, geraniums and petunias, head over there on 7th June between 10am and 6pm.  All the proceeds will be given to Global Generation, the folk behind the skip gardens.

Columbia market dates back to 1869, originally a covered food market of 400 stalls. Nowadays it is stalls on the street and in hidden courtyards that appear only on Sundays. Plants, flowers and bric a brac all on sale, with the traders encouraging you to buy with their sales pitch "beautiful roses, just like you my lovely, 2 bunches for a fiver" ... how can you resist.