Chelsea Flower Show opens on Tuesday to the general public but I have been looking at the Show Gardens for the last few days with all the anticpation and exhaustion that everyone involved experiences on site.

Due to the extreme heat in April and the cold weather last winter, the planting schemes have had to be altered and there was a frantic rush by some to get their gardens finished today-Sunday.

The rush continued in the marquees too and everyone was scutling around like busy bees despite the many camera men and photographers crawling round for that first glimpse. The strong winds didn't help either following searing heat.

A great deal of plants in the gardens have suffered but on the whole the emphasis in most show gardens seemed to be on soft muted colours and lots of water again.Lots of pale yellows, astrantias and armerias.

Chelsea is the catwalk for the nursery and design industry. It is a showcase and one has to remember it is a show and plants do not grow together normally as in some displays or are palnted so closely in most peoples gardens.

Many plants have been brought on or held back especially for the show so, it does give a slightly false impression of nature but there are always elements or ideas that one can pick up and use in schemes and it is an excuse for a lovely day away from the norm surrounded by beautiful trees and plants.