Nigel Colborn
Garden writer and Chairman of the RHS Trials Advisory Committee
Plantsman, author, columnist and Chairman of the RHS Trials Advisory Committee - there's not much Nigel Colborn doesn't know about plants. Add to that his experiences as a judge at Chelsea, and Nigel is the ideal person to give a glimpse behind the scenes at the world's most famous flower show.
Royal Horticultural Society What’s your first impression of this year’s show?
Nigel Colborn This year there is a terrific sense of optimism. The quality of the plants here and the luxuriance of the exhibits are unbelievable. As I’m talking, I’m looking at a bank of dahlias – how you get dahlias into perfect flowering condition in May when they’re not even supposed to flower until July is just amazing.
RHS Has the weather been a particular challenge this year?
NC We’ve had a very difficult winter - it’s been extremely cold - a late miserable spring, with bitter north-easterly winds, and then you get a heat-wave! So the plant growers have had every challenge you can throw at them. They’ve been juggling the timing, so that the plants are in a state of perfection - and for every plant you see here there are five or six rejects. It’s a tough old job.
RHS How do you judge the floral exhibits?
NC On the floral exhibits here we’re looking for excellence, for new ideas with exhibiting, and at the quality of plants: the perfect form and variety, presented to show them at their best and give visitors an idea of how they perform.
RHS Is there anything really new this year?
NC This year for the first time we’re having a big conference with 120 of the world’s plant experts to vote for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year. There’s a shortlist of 20 new plants and each grower or breeder has got 90 seconds to make his pitch as to why his should be plant of the year. Then there will be lots of deliberation and a ballot and the plant of the year, which will then be put on a plinth on the far end of the marquee, surrounded by the 20 short-listed plants.
RHS Why is Chelsea unique?
NC Partly because of its tradition, and where it is: it opens the London season, and London is the capital of the world’s most fanatical gardening nation. It’s the biggest spring show ever, and the place where really serious plant people and garden designers come.
RHS What about plant trends?
NC Dahlias are right at the peak of fashion now. They were popular in the ‘50s when I was a boy, then went into a decline because they needed a lot of care, but the new varieties are easier to grow, and have become incredibly popular. Grasses are popular too, and the wild species – like those on the Hardy Plants Society stand. There’s a Thalictrum, like a big buttercup, that I want in my garden, it’s so beautiful!