Hillier at The Chelsea Flower Show 2010

Adventures in Gardening - Hillier at Chelsea 2010 - In partnership with the Scotts Miracle-Gro company

Adventures in Gardening aims to put the enjoyment and discovery back into gardening. New gardeners can be put off by fear of failure. The soil a plant requires, its position in the garden, pruning and other cultural requirements can be all too much for the experienced gardener, let alone the novice. Some success, whatever you are growing spurs you on to try again, to venture further into the wonderful world of gardening.

Most plants grow on most soils. Providing you plant them with respect, and give them a little TLC during the early stages of their lives, they will succeed, even if you make a few mistakes with pruning, feeding and watering later on. Remember this and it will give you confidence to have a go and venture further into unfamiliar territory.

What always helps is a bit of advice and encouragement from those that have ventured along the trail before you. The Hillier exhibit at Chelsea 2010 will be a forum for the exchange of knowledge as gardeners divulge their tips in the Secret Garden. Here too you can ask the Oracle for help and advice on problems you have encountered. The resulting pool of wisdom will be available to all through http://www.lovethegarden.com/, http://www.hillier.co.uk/and http://www.rhs.org.uk/

Attempts to satisfy the requirements of the plants can stifle creativity. Theadventure of putting plants together to achieve exciting combinations of colour, texture and form stimulates the desire to explore further. Adventures in Gardening, Chelsea 2010 will take you on a journey through familiar territory but into the unknown. Although many of the plants are familiar hardy trees, shrubs and perennials they are magically woven together into something new, exciting and inspiring. This is what gardening is all about – creating a picture, another world that transports the gardener to a different land, far away from the fear of failure.

The Themes...

Venetian Adventure

A masked ball provides the inspiration for this garden with planting in rich Venetian colours. Deep plum purple, dark sapphire blue, crimson, cerise pink, burnt orange and black with hints of metallic gold and silver. A sophisticated small garden designed for entertaining and enjoyment.

Moroccan Magic

Deep red terracotta render conjures images of the red walls of Marrakech. Bright blue, orange and yellow echo the vibrant hues of Jardin Majorelle. Silver foliage and aromatic pines suggest hot, arid conditions. This is a small garden to enjoy the sun on summer days, and revel in the romantic mood of starry Arabian Nights.


Indian Intrigue, China Dreams
The Himalayan region was the destination of many a great plant hunter and English gardens owe much to the flora of this region. China gave us many of our most beautiful hardy plants. This is a plant collector’s garden celebrating some of the treasures of the plant world that can be grown by any gardener with a passion for plants.

White Water
The excitement of white water; the cool, calm effect of green and white planting around still and moving water crossed by stepping stones - a route to The Secret Garden perhaps? This garden creates the illusion of space using water, to provide the dimension of height and depth, and a limited colour palette.

Sylvan Spirit

A woodland trail showcases the beauty of slender trees and the plants that thrive in their shadows. The pale bark of birches brings light to the shade. The variety of colour and form of foliage transforms the lower layer of planting with or without the presence of flowers. This planting picture could be used for a small shaded town garden or a much larger country plot.

The Secret Garden – Hidden behind leafy screens this tranquil green oasis houses the Throne of Knowledge and the Couch of Consultation where you can ask the Oracle for guidance. Not immediately visible to passers by the observant will catch glimpses into the garden and words of wisdom and advice will be seen on screens in the open information point in the heart of the exhibit.



Andrew McIndoe – Managing Director Hillier Nurseries, Designer, Chelsea 2010