My Climate Change Garden

The Chelsea Flower Show is enjoying an absolutely glorious week of weather to show off its horticultural delights to the world . Every evening I watch Mr Titchmarsh and his team on the BBC offer an insight into this elitist world of gardening and think how far removed this search for Chelsea perfection is from what is happening in my garden at this time of year.

Everything is growing overnight with all the sunshine  and there is so much to do even in my small urban plot . Chelsea gardeners must be busy every evening watering and tending to their precious plants in order to keep them in the 100% perfect conditions required by the exceptionally high horticultural standards of the Chelsea Flower Show.

Gardening enthusiasts who did not manage to get hold of a Chelsea ticket  this year should remember that they can gain inspiration and design ideas just by visiting  their local gardens.It is not necessary to join the Chelsea elite to experience the delights of May gardens in their full glory.

I recently had just such an experience  in a very special Eastbourne garden on a glorious Sunday afternoon.The garden in Carlisle Road is very sheltered, being surrounded by a Victorian brick wall protecting  less hardy plants during the last two very cold UK winters. This tranquil garden is full of blooms to inspire including my favourite Abutilon Vitifolium in a beautiful shade of purple called Suntense.

The delightful owners Elaine Fraser-Gausden and her husband were on hand to tell visitors about the various unusual plant specimens and explain the history of their planting and design ideas. All this for just £3 entry fee with delicious home made cake and tea for another £2. Truly excellent value at £5 to have this first hand experience of an English summer garden without spending a fortune just to gaze at Chelsea gardens from the other side of a barrier.

Find out which gardens are open near to your home by visiting the National Gardens Scheme website http://www.ngs.org.uk/