Garden Designer on the move ... and Events in February! :)

Hello and welcome back! :)
As you may have guessed, my Garden Designer life has took over my blogging-plans :)

Once again life has reserved me some big surprises, and I found myself to be one of the six shortlisted names for the RHS YOUNG DESIGNER OF THE YEAR competition with my 'Heaven on Earth' garden.

{One of the 2012 finalist  gardens - A Prison Garden for Rehabilitation through Wellbeing by Katherine Wills}

Last Friday I have been invited to present my Design to the Judging Panel, which included the founder of one of the best London's Garden Design School, and a noted and multi-award winner Contractor. Despite my garden will not be among the three finalists, I really appreciated this great opportunity and it has been amazing to reach this point after just two months from graduation.
Another very good reason for 'neglecting' the blog is that I AM AT GREAT DIXTER AGAIN! :)
I am back to one of the greatest English gardens for another amazing learning/working experience.
Unfortunatelly there isn't a great internet connection here so next post will have to wait, but you can follow my daily 'diary' on my Facebook page or on Twitter.

{Tiax / stockfreeimages.com}

Despite the great news and events, I did not forget my monthly appointment and I cherry-picked some among the most interesting garden-related events of the month.

Inaugurated by HRH the Duchess of Cornwall, the new Garden Museum exhibition is now open! 'Floriculture - Flowers, Love and Money' will be on display until the 28th of April and will bring you through four centuries of cut flowers history. I will attend it on next week and I am really looking foward to it.

{Image source: Garden Museum}

16th&17 - Winter Opening Weekend at Great Dixter House and Garden
19th & 20th - RHS London Plant & Design Show
26th - Sarah Raven's Luchtime talk at the Garden Museum. A great talk by a great writer, cook, grower, broadcaster and teacher. I have been in love with her garden, books, website and catalogue since I setted foot in Uk and I am sure you will fall in love as well!
All the month long, you can pay a visit to the 'Butterflies in the Glasshouse' at RHS Wisley Garden, and to the 2013 Orchid Festival at KEW Gardens.

Further news on London-related events can be found at 'The Green in Between'.

That is all for now :) See you next week and...keep sowing!!! :)

Bisous and Baci,

Noemi

Events in January!

It is late, and it has been another busy, long day...but I cannot help to smile.

I have been back in UK just one week ago and yet I have been in Cornwall, visited the Eden Project and other Cornish beauties, attended a truly interesting SGD event and I am just back from the Chelsea Fringe meeting at the Garden Museum. Tomorrow I will be at Wisley for the 'Butterflies in the Glasshouse'.

{David Hanson Photograph. Recipe here}

The amazing journey that I started one year ago is demanding, but repays me everyday and I love it! I feel very lucky and grateful for that! A big sense of peace is in me while writing this new post and sipping a lovely cinnamon tea. It is soo rewarding to have the opportunity to follow my own dreams and I would never be thankful enough for all the opportunities I have been given!

{source}

It is also very rewarding this particular moment where it is too cold to get outside and you can indulge in garden related readings, while planning new sowings and imagining how your garden will look like in few months time. This is a time full of expectations!

{Tiax / stockfreeimages.com}

But it is not the moment to stop visiting gardens! Actually it is the best one to concentrate your thoughts on structure and extend visual interest. Here just a tiny selection of events and places across London who might inspire you:

- 12th January to 24th February - 'Butterflies in the Glasshouse' at Wisley
- 26th & 27th January - 'The Big Birdwatch with the RSPB' at Wisley
- 28th January- It is not London Area, but I cannot help to mention February Study Day at Great Dixter, the garden where my mind constantly goes since this summer's working experience.
- 30th January - The first of two Butterfly Photography Mornings at Wisley.
- During all the month, you wll be able to see Emma Stothard willow and steel wire sculpture at Wisley, and David Nash masterworks at Kew.

There are not NGS Gardens open for Charity this month in London Area, but always it is worthy a visit to their website.

{ngs yellow book}

Next posts? I will write about my adventures and garden visits of the past year, and how to replicate them by yourself; I will tell you more about my tomorrow visit and about 'Seed of Love', a lovely and international seed swap.

In the meantime, I wait for you on Twitter!!! :)

Events in September!

Woooow!!! How quick the time is rushing!!! It is flowing away between my fingers....but I take it as a  good sign since I strongly believe that 'Time is Faster in Happiest Times!' :D

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I spent my last month between my working experience at Great Dixter and 'I Maestri del Paesaggio' in Italy,   now I am getting ready to start my last term at KLC School of Design, and working hard to hand all my summer homeworks: the Construction File (with my hard-landscaping choices regarded 4 different situations), a well worn and used Sketchbook with my daily exercises, my first 1:50 model (a little bit crazy, to be honest with you! ;P), and an article in the style of the Garden Illustrated's 'Montly Plants'. Plenty to keep me busy and away from writing and share as much as I would like (Ok, I do not do just homework!!! I also have a life and enjoy socialize, stay outside and...cooking!!! :D)

I know that there will be some time to wait before I could publish everything I would, but in the meanwhile I leave you with.....

EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER!!!! :D :D :D 

{Tiax / stockfreeimages.com}

- 14th to 23rd September - It is not strictly Garden-related but, you should know, inspiration can come from everywhere! So why do not visit the 'London Design Festival' at V&A museum? Going back home with plenty of new ideas and tons of inspiration...is guaranteed! :)

- 20th September - Free talk at Fulham Palace Garden Centre to help you choose the perfect bulbs for a containers garden

- Until 24th September - Last opportunity to visit David Nash sculptures exhibition at KEW garden.

- ALL THE MONTH: an incredibile range of events and courses is hosted at RHS Wisley Garden!!!!! There is something for everyone!!! :D From Photography courses to free talk events....and its famous Plant Fair as well!!! :D :D :D 

Also, the fascinating exibitions 'The Plant Seekers' at the Garden Museum it is still on (and will be there until next month!).

Of course, DO NOT FORGET to brownse the National Garden Scheme Website or its yellow book of gardens open for charity!!!! :D

ngs yellow book

I wish you all a great and inspiring month, 

Noemi

Events in August!

Can you belive it? Another month has gone! :) May and July where probably the best one to get some inspiration and new ideas, while with its courses, August seems the best one to improve our own knowledge and skills!

Tiax / stockfreeimages.com

- 4^thand 5^th August - Claremont Landscape is considered one of the finest gardens of the English Landscape style. Its own creation and development has involved great names in garden history, including Sir John Vanbrugh, Charles Bridgeman, William Kent and 'Capability' Brown. In 1726 it was described as 'the noblest of any in Europe' and the garden today is of national importance. In these two days, the Belvedere Tower (an Italian word that mean 'Good View') will be open to the pubblic and it will be a good occasion to see the garden from there and join the love for gardens with the interest of history. It is part of the of the National Trust and it is well connected with the pubblic service... another good reason why I am seriously planning to go! :)

- 8th August - Fruit identification day: plums, earlyapples and pears at Wisley. A free service to help you identify what it is growing in the garden. Times: 11am-1pm and 2-4pm.

- 8th August - On the same day at RHS Wisley Garden, Cultivate some colour: a half day course to learn how to propagate tender perennial

- 11th August -Agapanthus extravaganza: Dick Fulcher, Agapanthus national collection holder, will give a talk about these fascinating summer plants in the Plant Centre of RHS Wisley Garden, covering cultivation and care, range of plants, and how to use them in the garden.

- 18th and 19 August - Fuchsias in the Glasshouse - a new event held in the Glasshouse Gallery of Wisley Garden

- 21^st August - Tree and Shrub Pruning course at Wisley Garden

- 25^th August Close-up Photography one day course with Adrian Davies at Wisley Garden

- 25th August to 30th September - Surrey Sculpture Society trail: one of the largest exhibitions of sculpture in the country, on display at Wisley against the beautiful backdrop of the late summer garden.

- 30th August - Harvesting and preparing seed. Explore the best techniques and timings for harvesting, as well as when to sow and how to treat your seed to ensure maximum germination rates.

- 30th August to 16th September: I maestri delpaesaggio/Landscape masters - Even if this event will not be in London, but in Bergamo (Italy) it is worth mentioning! The list of partecipants is really mouth watering: Cleve West, Andy Sturgeon, Luciano Giubbilei, Peter Walker, Christian Dobrick,Gabriele G. Kiefer, John Brook just to name some...
      And even if you have never been to Italy it is a very confortable trip: direct flights starts from as little as £ 33.00, and take only two hours from Stansted airport to Orio al Serio Airport, where a bus brings you into the heart of the town in less then 30'. Couldn't be a nice idea for a weekend escape? :)

 As usual, do not forget to visit www.ngs.org.uk or to brownse your yellow book of gardens open for charity!

ngs yellow book

See you next week! :)

Events in July!

Have you experienced it?

In happiest times, time speed up...and so a Thursday post become a Friday one!!! :D

Eventually the weather is improving and plants are growing! J And everyday the gardens of the neighborhood show new delights!

If you are not blessed with so much creative neighbors, just take a look of this month agenda of London and surrounding! There are plenty of events where fill your eyes and learn news skills!

Tiax / stockfreeimages.com

2nd - Hurray!!!! Eventually RHS Lindley library reopens!!! :D Whether you are keen gardener, a famous garden designer or a plant enthusiast...it is an event to celebrate!

3rd to 8th -  Nostalgia of Chelsea?  HamptonCourt Palace Flower is back in its own wonderful venue! I cheer for Matthew Childs and his 'Light at the end of the tunnel' concept garden, based on his own experience of being injured in the 7 July 2005 bombing at Edgware Road station.

7th and 8th - Belvedere Tower Opening at Claremont Landscape garden.

9th - 'Medicinal herbs' at Loseley Park (Talk and Guided Tour).

14th - Luciano Giubbilei (free!!!) talk on Contemporary Garden Design at Wisley Plant centre.

15th -  Sabatino Urzo free talk on Mediterranean Flora at Wisley Plant centre. (Yes..they are both Italians...J) 

16th to 20th - Time to learn something new, or improve your own skills with the 'Aspects of botanical illustration' course at KEW.

17th - Inauguration of the 'Plant Seekers exhibition' at Garden Museum.

21st - Yuppie! Another great event: London Permaculture Festival at Regent Park. If you do not know what this strange word means ... today is the perfect day to find it out! :D

21st until 31th of August - Childs admitted free at RHS partner gardens. The right moment to show something different to your precious little one(s) and learn together something new!

During all the month: David Nash exhibition at KEW and North american landscape exhibition at the British Museum.

And last but not least... Don’t forget to check your Yellow Book of Gardens Open for Charity or its website for even more inspiring places to visit all around UK! J

ngs yellow book

As you can see, even if it is just a selection,  there is plenty of choice for every taste! Have you already plan your agenda of July? Where are you going? :)

Events in May!

Events in May bloom at the same speed as the dandelion!

Here just few of the MANY (hundreds!) in and around London:
Until 2 May - Auricula Spectacular , a displey at Wisley plant centre
3/7 May - Contemporary Craft and Design Fair at RHS Wisley Garden

5 May - Portraits of leaves and fungi  at Kew Gardens

5/13 May - Grand Design London Show at London Exel

9 May - B'ugs and Beast: ecouraging wildlife into your garden,' a talk with RHS's Principal Enthomologist Andrew Halstead at RHS Wisley Garden

10 May - Growing Tomatoes and Peppers - Free talking at Fulham Palace Garden Centre, no needs to book!

10 May - 14 June:  Learn to Draw and Paint with Naomi Lyons at RHS Wisley Garden , a series of five workshops. I wish I could go!!!!! :)

19 May - 10 June: Chelsea Fringe , a brand new festival!

22/26 May: CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW! But I am sure you already knew it! :)

24 May - Lavenders - Free talking at Fulham Palace Garden Centre, no needs to book!

26 May - Photography morning at RHS Wisley Garden

Do not forget to check your precious Yellow book of Gardens open for charity, or to take a look on-line if you do not have it! (maybe you are more 'ecogood' of me and don't want to waste paper/ink!)

The Yellow Garden Book

Events in April!

Tiax / stockfreeimages.com

With the approach of warm season, the number of events related to Plant's Word in getting bigger!!! Here just a few in and around London!

1st - Last day to visit 'From Garden City to Green City' exhibition at Garden Museum and 'Birds of Prey' at RHS Wisley garden.

3rd - Launch of 'Permaculture design guide' at Passing clouds, Hackney.

10th&11th - RHS Great London Plant Fair, RHS Horticultural Halls, Westminster.

11th - Tulip Day at Horticultural Halls Conference Centre (free for RHS members - Book on 08456121253)

14th&15th - Auricola Spectacular - Bill Lockyer (Chelsea Gold Medallist) 's display - Winsley, plant centre - free

15th - Orchid cultivation - one day course at Winsley

16th to 22nd - National Gardening weeks.
Many events. At Winsley and Garden Museum there will be inspirational talks and various activities!!!

19th - 'Planting summer containers' day at Fulham Garden Centre

20th to 22nd - RHS Show Cardiff

21st - Ashwood nursery John Garden open £ 4.50

22st -  Sustainable gardening with impact - Talk about greener gardening by designer Alice Bowe - free - Winsley Plant centre
28th - Photography Morning at Wisley

29th - Spring Plants and Gardens Fair at Garden Museum

 

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