Chelsea in bloom

 This week is the Chelsea flower show. It is a 5 day event run by the Royal Horticultural Society and is the height of the serious gardeners' calendar. I have managed to get a ticket twice in the past but not this year. However, in the local area of Sloane Square in Chelsea, local businesses have put on their own displays. Yesterday I went for a free walk to see their contributions to street floral displays.

 

Loved the ballet shoes.

I hope you enjoyed walking around Sloane Square and King's Road with me and hundreds of other people. There were many other shops and displays. I would say 90% of the flowers this year are real and not silk. Not sure how they will last the week. Many shop workers/ owners were out watering and spraying them. The businesses rely on the goodwill of the public not to touch the flowers especially overnight when the shops are closed. It is one of the best free flower displays I've seen and is getting bigger and bigger each year.

Kew Gardens

 Although Kew Gardens is the other side of London and took a bus, two trains and a tube journey to get there, it was worth the effort. On a glorious sunny day I had a great time enjoying the greenery, plants and flowers. 

I couldn't stop taking photos

The largest and smallest water lilies in the world.

 

Moroccan broom.

Bird of Paradise flower.

 

Far too many photos but I couldn't resist sharing them with you.