Day 1

The hustle and bustle of London is always a bit of a shock to the system coming from the quiet little town of Ocean Grove. However it does not take long to get into the swing of things and head-out to Chelsea to collect our kit from the organisers. Then we go and inspect our site which is a blank canvas and now the fun begins. The goal Day 1 is simply to get the walls up which takes all day and this year is helped by the good weather.

Day 2

Time to put some paint on those walls and this year we have chosen a paint color called “Honeysuckle” which is very fitting for a garden show. It is quite a modern color which will compliment the sculptures nicely giving a light background which will make them stand-out even more. Afterwards we cover the whole site with matting to protect the ground from compacting too much.

We get a call mid-morning that the 18tonne truck with our crates has arrived and it is time to unload. The truck also has our shelter and storage unit which we have nicknamed the “Pie Stand”. Touchwood we have not had anyone ask us for a hot pie during the show as yet! Once unloaded we begin to unpack our crates.

Day 3

Our third day is a little adventure to the English countryside to source our plants. Unlike the show gardens we do not organise our plants beforehand. Partly because we do not need the quantities they use but also because we are quite flexible with our choice of plants and prefer to use whatever is looking its best with the season.

Day 4

The priority today is to make Birdbath Bowl bases for our new designs including the Ducks, Swallows and Frogs. We decide to make them varying heights so they do not look predictable in the overall stand design. As soon as they are complete the paint goes on. Throughout the rest of the day the deliveries keep coming including our four trolleys full of plants, Cotswold toppings and mulch.

Day 5

The first job this morning is to place the sleepers which define the site and continue that earthy theme. Then we can begin to place the colourful mix of plants which brings our garden to life.

Days 6 & 7

The final two days are spent arranging the plants and surrounding them with mulch. It is important to get this right first go as one of the biggest gripes from the judges is when any black plastic from the pots is showing. Once a few other finishing touches are completed including putting the sign-up with our logo we are ready for the Royals and the judging.

Picture this. An Australian-based landscape designer travels to Scotland to source 300 tonnes of rock to use for his Show garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. One semi has a limit of 25 tonnes so that is quite a few truckloads! Some would say he has “rocks in his head” but I believe this man is pushing boundaries more than anyone else I have seen at the Chelsea Flower Show in my  five years of exhibiting.

I remember seeing Phil at last years Chelsea Flower Show where he was still trying to get approval from the RHS Committee to go ahead with his garden design. They were clearly thinking the design was rather ambitious but he managed to convince them it was achievable. Phil has had many years of experience and has built over 1,000 gardens around Australia with his trademark features and he clearly loves a challenge.

As a sign of Phil’s professionalism he sourced plants in the UK and Spain and then pre-built his stand for this years show in Scotland with local stone that came from a landslip over 15 years ago. The balance of the rock composition and the waterflow effect is crucial. Once correct, the stones were all numbered and then can be fitted back together like a jigsaw at Chelsea in 17 days. The stones he uses are huge, often weighing a couple of tonnes each or more. They are arranged to create a beautiful waterfall cascading into a billabong and gorge below.

Sustainability is a key feature of his garden designs. I love this whole concept. Phil believes in avoiding using mains water for any garden. This should be used for drinking water only which makes so much sense. He is highlighting this point at the show by only using water collected from the BBC Media tent roof.

We have the same Chelsea site as last year and are located next door to Phil. What fun to see this man in action, watch the stand build and maybe even greet the Queen who is scheduled to be visiting them.

Below are a few photos of one of Phil’s gardens on the outskirts of Melbourne which is also home to some Willie Wildlife Sculptures. The garden highlights his signature style.

Many people are familiar with Flemings Nurseries in Australia after more than 90 years and four generations in the business.  They are often at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show and are one of the leading suppliers of wholesale trees for the cool to temperate regions of Australia. But many people may not be aware that Wes Fleming is the passionate man behind the Trailfinder’s Australian Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in London for the past eight years. There are few English garden designers who can claim to have had that many show gardens at Chelsea under their belt. Let alone someone coming from the other side of the world.

He has been awarded four Gold and four Silver Gilt medals over the years but one has remained elusive at the Chelsea – “Best in Show”. He must be a chance this year as very few would have the experience, determination and bravado to tackle a garden design so testing and unique as his and Phillip Johnson’s. Even if Wes does not win Best in Show you cannot help but admire his dedication and enthusiasm for the event. He has helped to raise Australia’s profile in the gardening and horticultural world to far greater heights. Hats off to Wes.

The Trailfinders Show Garden presented by Wes Flemings Nurseries and designed by Phil Johnson

Below are just a few of the highlights at this year’s show. Go to our facebook page for more images.

This year at MIFGS, Jason created a very liveable, relaxing outdoor dining garden space. Being the Jenny Craig “Fresh” Show Garden there were plenty of edible plants throughout adding beauty, colour and functionality.  We felt quite honoured to have a few of our sculptures in such a stunning setting.

Good luck to all those who entered the competition  to win a couple of tickets to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and look forward to seeing you there.

The garden is a delight and not frequently opened to the public. Initially established in 1930 it is a grand woodland garden with oaks, birches, conifers and hundreds of beautiful rhododendrons. Trickling streams link ponds and lakes and winding paths inspire you to explore. Overlook the eucalypts to views of Hanging Rock.

2-3 March – Romsey Road, Woodend. 10-4.30pm daily

The new duck designs will be officially launched at the Chelsea Flower Show in London at the end of May and the American Society of Landscape Architects Show in Boston later in the year. They will also make their first sneak outing at the Fraser’s Open Garden in February on the Mornington Peninsula, a little closer to home. They are currently available however and can be seen on the website or you are also welcome to view the designs at our private Studio in Ocean Grove by appointment.

The Duck Birdbath Bowl designs are available in three sizes:  32” 800mm,  48” 1200mm and  80” 2m diameter.

We feel quite honoured to have some of our work permanently in the Fraser’s garden as a focal point on the lawn outside their kitchen and living areas. It is the perfect finishing touch for this area of the garden and looks superb viewed from any angle.

Here is a peak of some of the new designs we will have on display.

16-17 Feb  Merricks Rd, Redhill. Follow the yellow Open Garden Scheme signs on the day. 10am-4.30pm

23-24 Feb  61 Avoca Street, South Yarra  10am-4.30pm