Jekka's Organic Herb display at our (award winning!) Hampton Court Trade Stand 2009 - we were inundated, not only with show visitors, but a host of happy bees and butterflies visiting our stand!
If you're a Hampton Court Flower Show regular, then you'd be used to finding us inside the Floral Marquee...but not this year! Instead, we chose a trade stand outside the marquee. It was a bit of unknown for us, but Jekka's herb display proved ever popular - not only amongst visitors, but also attracting bees and butterfliesthroughout the show. Even though we weren't competing this year, we still picked up an award....
We were delighted to receive a runners-up award for the Best Trade Stand Display - as this was our first one ever, it came as a lovely surprise! Oregano 'Kent Beauty' and Green Ruffles Basil were a sell-out; sweet scented Woad and the bright cerise of Blackcurrant Sage were in great demand throughout the show...
We had herb tasting and smelling sessions...
...and lots of info' about
Jekka's Herb Farm on display
Buckets full of herb seed
- 'A Garden in a Packet'
All in all, it was such a busy time we barely had time to tend the herbs!
Before the show, many people had asked Jekka why we weren't doing a herb display this year, but as you can see, we did!
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Chelsea Flower Show 19-23rd May 2009
Jekka wins 14th Chelsea Gold Medal, after
Growing Native for her 'Power of Plants' herbs exhibit, and the RHS Lawrence Medal for best exhibit shown to the society during the year...
The Power of Plants: Jekka's award winning herb display featuring Angelica, Woad, Thyme and Caraway, amongst a plethora of organically grown native herbs
Our display this year overflowed with native and medicinal herbs,edging a rill, bordered with towering umbels of Angelica Archangelica Angelica and clouds of bright yellow Isatic tinctoria Woad (famous for its blue dye), under planted with the sedative herb Valeriana officinalis Valerian, and interspersed with the vibrant reds of Papaver rhoeas Field Poppy (add the seeds to biscuits), and Atriplex hortensis var. rubra Red Orach.
The rill, bordered with
Lavender Fathead and Iden Thyme...
...where Jekka's Gnome
was first spotted.
Jekka's gnome, 'Borage' achieved notoriety at the show, having been spotted,quietly fishing in the rill, shortly before judging. As gnomes are officially banned from the Chelsea Flower Show by the RHS, his presence was highly controversial, attracting much media attention - see press coverage..
....and if you were wondering what happened to Jekka's gnome, he's now back at the farm, helping out in the office. He's since appeared on BBC TV show 'Have I got news for you' and also featured in a quiz in the London Evening Standard in December 2009!
The water feature gave a tranquil feel amongst the hustle and bustle of the show (it was here that 'Borage' our much publicised Gnome was first spotted).
Creamy white clusters of Carum carvi Caraway, Calendula officinalis Pot Marigold, Hesperis matronalis Sweet Rocket andViola TricolourHeartseaseinvited comment from accomplished and aspiring herb gardeners alike, restoring the limelight from the gnome, who returned to the farm shortly after judging for a well earned rest.
Jekka's intention to achieve 60 RHS Gold Medals before the age of 60 has been accomplished, and Chelsea 2009 marked an end to her floral herb exhibits in the Grand Pavilion. That is not to say that Jekka won't be seen at Chelsea again. If you're curious, then come along to our Herb Farm Open Days and ask her yourself!
