A Talk by Pip Bensley
Southampton based, Pip Bensley is well known in the horticultural world, not only for creating show gardens but also as a senior RHS judge at Chelsea. She has been on Radio programmes, TV programmes and the "Dig It" gardening team for 8 years. Pippa worked with Hillier Gardens for over 27 years helping them create their magical Gold Medal winning gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show. She has won three Gold Medals as an individual and been involved in producing 74 Chelsea Gold Medal winning exhibits as part of the Hillier Nurseries Staging Team.
At our June meeting, Pip explained that the first Hilliers garden at Chelsea was a mere 2 x 3m then grew into what is now a more complicated 20 x 30m plot with sculptures and boundaries to squeeze in. As the Chelsea Garden Show grew it needed to find extensive real estate in London where they could exhibit. They were able to make a deal with the Royal Chelsea Hospital which allowed it the use of its grounds for the Show. There are now over 500 exhibitors using 60,000 contractors. 50 judges and 10 moderators help judge the show and there is also the involvement and interest of our Monarch. In the past the use of gnomes was strictly banned by the RHS, (!) so the team at Hilliers used to hide them in their exhibit, as apparently many other exhibitors did, until the RHS finally allowed them!
Preparation for the Show starts 18 months ahead with the first requirement being to find a sponsor, but many sponsors want to see what kind of garden you will design before committing their money to it. In January the Press Launch begins and this determines which gardens will be featured in the Telegraph. The BBC also decide which garden to film, and it's often the silly photos that make it into the press and get the most publicity.
Hilliers has been given a plot with a 30 metre high monument that sits in the centre of the Marquee. They had to work around this structure to create what was to be the biggest garden in the show. For the Floral Marquee 5 acres of foundations must be laid first. There are over 3500 plants, which must all be in perfect condition, and often the old cranky cold store used by Hilliers would break down, adding to the stress of unknown weather conditions. Over 8 pallets of chip bark are used, plenty of wood to help keep things straight and crates of black bags and pebbles to help as "fillers". The loading of the lorries to bring wheelbarrows, soil and all other requirements need to be carefully planned, with the forklift being last. Limited space means that everything also needs to come out in the right order. The forklift was popular and "borrowed" by many!
For the indoors exhibits they need to be built from the ground upwards, whereas the outside exhibits must grow naturally. Trees are needed, but not in the normal 35L pot from the garden centre, these come in 600L pots. Paving is put down using bespoke organic stone, which is then covered with polythene to keep it clean. One year no straight lines were used in the garden, so the paving was also made without straight lines. Team leaders are given a certain area with a theme and they can choose which plants to plant. They are given a Planting Plan with pools, ponds, trees and the Staging Team is in charge of making it all look real. The week before the show final items arrive such as a bench and pots to fill, the smaller things take longer to do and work must be planned from the back forward. Teamwork is essential!  Photos are taken for the magazine and one member works solely on Social Media. It's a 12+ hour day to get everything out to the press and all is fine-tuned!
Judging is based on; 1) Plant material used; 2) Appropriateness as to where it is placed; 3) Overall impression; and 4) Endeavour. The Judges then make their decision the level of medal to be awarded. It is then considered by a panel, and the Moderators give their decision on winners .Judging must be based on the criteria and the judges must be able to fully explain their decision and must remain detached. It doesn't matter whether or not they like it. Judging used to be done only by men wearing bowler hats, but now women are also allowed to judge and the bowler hat is making a comeback!
This year there is also an unjudged exhibition including a giant cabbage. There was also a bit of controversy this year, thanks to Mondy Don who did not agree with the choice of "Best in Show", but then, Pip pointed out, Monty has never actually judged a Chelsea Garden and perhaps doesn't fully comprehend what's involved. He did manage to make the RHS livid, the Judges cross and the Exhibitor in tears by his comments. Thank you, Monty!
There is also the President’s Luncheon, where the most important members sit nearer the middle. This includes major donors and judges. Pip tends to sneak off during the speaker’s time as there is still lots to do!
There are many celebrities, not necessarily invited by the RHS, but perhaps as friends of a sponsor. Pip did get a chance to talk to George Harrison, and confirms he knew his stuff! The celebrities inevitably get mobbed and, in her day, Diana caused chaos when she visited!
The Royals come at 5pm when they and only police and nursery men are allowed in. The visit for the Monarch is fully programmed but the other Royals just wander about. Pip confirmed our King to be a genuine gardener and he is also Patron of the RHS. Then there is, of course, the ‘Sell Off‘ on the last day of Chelsea when it's basically full of crazed people! but fun!
Whilst the Exhibits take about 14 days to build the gardens can take 5 to 6 weeks. When it comes to clearing up and dismantling, 5 days are given! Flowers are kept fresh over the week by replacing them. As for the overall cost, a "cheap show garden" is about £175,000, an average garden, £325,000 and the cost can go up to £3.5m! Gardens do go to other places to be used and enjoyed, either complete or in part and they all must be sustainable and /or recyclable!
Thank you Pip, for giving us a most inciteful and interesting look behind the scenes at Chelsea!
Dawne Dunton
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