by Terri Overett | May 18, 2015 | Gardening News, Gardening Posts
4pm on a Thursday and the minutes were going by slowly. I was looking forward to getting home, putting my feet up and relaxing with a large glass of wine. The next half an hour went pretty quickly and I overheard a conversation about needing someone to go to Barcelona to collect plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. To be honest, all I heard was Barcelona and I said ‘I’ll go’. Never did I think I would then be rushing home to get my passport to book flights for the next morning.
7pm I arrived home with a little buzz in my stomach. It was such a great opportunity, but knowing I had the difficult task of getting the plants through security and onto the plane, well I definitely needed that large glass of wine. We tried contacting Ryan Air before hand to make sure we could get the plants on the plane; we even purchased an extra seat for our VIP plants. To our dismay, we had no luck and we were advised soil was prohibited on the plane. Now, try explaining the difference between soil and compost to a non horticulturist and you’ll need a second glass of wine!
However, we knew that our Digitalis ‘Illumination Apricot’ plants were to be the centre piece of the Pure Land Foundation Garden. After being advised HRH the Queen was going to be visiting the garden we had to try.
4am the next day I was up and on my way to Stansted airport. The taxi driver was highly amused that I was travelling to Barcelona and back just for ‘some plants’. What I didn’t realise was this would be a highly entertaining subject for the whole of my journey. I am not really the best of flyers, turbulence is my worst enemy and from a past experience with Ryan Air I was a little nervous to say the least. To top things off, as we headed for takeoff a fixture of the plane’s hand luggage holder fell right in front of me. The gentlemen to my right found it hilarious, but it is safe to say the feeling wasn’t mutual.
11.30am I was standing at Barcelona El Prat airport with our very special plants. I didn’t expect the box to be so large, so when I had a call from T&M HQ I was quick to raise my concerns, there was no way they were going to fit in the plane. With my box in tow I went for a coffee, the realisation that I had 6 hours to spend in this airport was slightly daunting. I should have spent the time learning the Spanish word for Trolley, as I could not locate one anywhere and ended up carrying this box around all day.
Now, of course, I expected some people to look at me confused. I mean it’s not every day you see someone walking through an airport with a box as large as that (which had images of fresh fruit on it I might add) and it isn’t really something you would want to see going onto your flight. However, I was stared at like a hawk! The funniest moment was trying to go to the bathroom with my box. I couldn’t leave it outside; they were too precious so they had to come with me. I took a quick bathroom selfie to send to HQ for a laugh.
The most nerve racking part was getting the box through security, it is quite funny that it soon received the label ‘The box’ not ‘The plants’, but anyway, security. I approached the x-ray machine and it was clear the box hadn’t gone unnoticed. Four guards approached me asking what was in the box; this was the part I had been so worried about. My friends joked I would be arrested for smuggling plants, of course I didn’t find it very funny! ‘Plants’ I said, ‘Garden plants’. They put them through and sent me on my way.
I had crossed one major hurdle and had one more to go, getting them on the plane! I sat in the departure gate for 3 hours talking to a gentleman about my day. He had quite a trip ahead of him also as he was flying back to the UK to pick up his car to then drive back to Barcelona. My flight was meant to be at 6.40pm, a look at my watch proved this would not be happening as it was now 7pm! We were then advised our plane hadn’t arrived yet and we were delayed by an hour. Just what I wanted hear after all the hours I had already spent waiting around.
The time came to board the plane and I was becoming more and more relieved. I knew that once I was sat on the plane, with the box next to me, we had made this crazy 3,000km round trip. I reached the door of the plane and the air steward immediately said, ‘that will not fit on the plane’. And she was right, it was far too long and the seat belt wouldn’t fit around it. So, we had no option but to put it in the hold under the plane with the rest of the luggage. Now, I don’t know if you have seen these documentaries on how our luggage is handled, or shall I say thrown on and off the plane, but my heart sank. I quickly and desperately advised they were very precious plants that would tomorrow be seen by HRH the Queen.
She very kindly advised the grounds crew that this box needed to be handled with care and they very kindly strapped it in securely upright so hopefully the journey wouldn’t cause the plants too much distress. Arriving at Stansted airport the air hostess stepped in to help once again, she told the grounds men about the box and I was assured it would be handled with care. I was standing at the baggage collection point and one by one passengers were collecting their luggage and making their way out. Still no box. Where was the box? It was like I had lost an arm, after all it had spent the best part of 6 hours glued to my side. A kind man advised it had been brought in by hand and was waiting a little further down. I saw the box in the distance; it was standing up right, no dents to be seen. The only thing to be seen was the smile on my face.
I collected my box and went through arrivals, where Michael Perry was waiting to take photos and to take the plants off my hands and transport them to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. I was impatient and I had to see how the plants were. Without hesitation, we opened the box and WOW, they were in perfect condition. The relief was pretty astonishing; I mean they are only plants, but my 18 hour adventure was so worthwhile. The Digitalis Illumination Apricot (a new sister line to winner of the Plant of the Year 2012 Digitalis illumination Pink) looked incredible.
Digitalis Illumination Apricot looking amazing at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
A pit stop at McDonalds and by 11pm I was tucked up in bed. What a day! I also get the honour of visiting the show on Thursday, so I will be sure to tell you all about it.
Terri works in the e-commerce marketing department assisting the busy web team. Terri manages our blog and social media pages here at Thompson & Morgan and is dedicated to providing useful advice to our gardeners. Terri is new to gardening and keen to develop her horticultural knowledge.
by Terri Overett | Apr 28, 2015 | Gardening News, Gardening Posts
Sunflowers are one of the most versatile plants you can grow. They can be grown as cut flowers or for wildlife and they are the perfect introduction to encourage children into gardening. That is why we are joining Fleuroselect in the celebration of this much loved garden favourite.
Growing sunflowers is so simple;
1.Sunflower seeds should be direct sown outdoors from April to May.
2.Position in full sun on well drained soil.
3.Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 1cm in drills spaced 45cm (18″) apart and cover seed with its own depth of soil to exclude light.
4.Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes up to 21 days. When sunflower seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 30cm (12″) apart.
There are so many varieties but here are our top five for inspiration!
Great for garden bouquets the Sunflower ‘Helios Flame’ is a lovely tall stemmed variety that will make an eye catching addition to your vases.
‘Inca Gold’ is a trailing plant that will make an unusual yet exciting addition to your summer hanging baskets. This variety will also look incredible as ground cover in your borders.
Sunflower ‘Mongolian Giant’ is the perfect competition variety. They are fun to grow and will produce magnificent yellow blooms ready for the show bench.
Top tip – plant with chive to deter aphids!
Think outside the box with this unusual variety and grow deliciously creamy blooms! Sunflower ‘Italian White’ is a step away from the typical yellow and perfect for flower arranging.
Sunflower ‘Solar Flash’ is a dwarf variety for patio containers or grown as a cut flower.
Don’t forget, whether you are trying to grow the tallest sunflower or growing for fun, make sure you send your sunflower pictures in for your chance to win!
Terri works in the e-commerce marketing department assisting the busy web team. Terri manages our blog and social media pages here at Thompson & Morgan and is dedicated to providing useful advice to our gardeners. Terri is new to gardening and keen to develop her horticultural knowledge.
by Terri Overett | Apr 24, 2015 | Gardening News, Gardening Posts
Like Willy Wonka opening the gates to his chocolate factory, the chance to get a glimpse of the immaculate Thompson & Morgan trial grounds at our Suffolk HQ drew thousands of gardeners from far and wide each summer though the 90’s and 00’s. The annual open weekends were a highlight of the local horticultural calendar, with gardeners and gardening clubs attending from as far afield as France and Germany.
The annual event was drawn to a temporary close in 2011 when 5,000+ visitors attended over two days. Thompson & Morgan New Product Development Manager, Michael Perry, explained: “The success of our open days was part of their temporary demise; our site just couldn’t cope with the numbers coming to see our displays. Our catalogues and online listings show off the Thompson & Morgan range perfectly, but there’s nothing like the chance of seeing everything at its peak of summer growth before your eyes. We’ve been looking to bring the open days back in a format that works for us, our customers – and the local road network!”
Hanging basket trials 2014
Jimmy’s Farm, likewise based on the outskirts of Ipswich, is the perfect partner venue for reviving this popular event. Already established as a favourite Suffolk visitor attraction, it is able to cope with traffic, parking, coach parties and thousands of visitors. What’s more, it is open daily to the public, so what once had to be crammed into a single weekend on a working site can now be explored at leisure from 1st July right though to September.
A brand new Thompson & Morgan Garden has been built at the well-known attraction to showcase a snap shot of the company’s technical growing trials. Over 1,000 containers (including the company’s own Tower Pots™, Easy Fill Baskets and Flower Pouches™) will be put on display to showcase its seed and plant offering. Existing customer favourites will be set alongside soon-to-launch exclusives from its 2016 seed and plant range. Thompson & Morgan fruit and vegetables will be given special focus in a series of square metre growing beds. Expect to see particular emphasis given to fuchsias, sweet peas, cosmos and tomatoes. Visitors will also get an opportunity to see how the company’s new incredicompost® and incredirange® of fertilisers work in combination to bring the best ever results to all parts of the garden, especially patio containers and baskets.
Farm owner Jimmy Doherty said: “I’m so excited that Thompson & Morgan are bringing their show gardens to the farm. Growing is a big part of what we do here and we hope it’ll inspire many gardeners to get green fingered.”
The garden joins a host of free attractions at the farm including rare breed animals, top class restaurant and butchery, as well as craft and gift stores. The gardens will be closed to the public during Jimmy’s Sausage & Beer Festival weekend (25-26 July).
For opening times and directions see www.jimmysfarm.com
Follow Thompson & Morgan on Facebook and Twitter (#TMopengarden) to stay informed on the latest happenings with the Thompson & Morgan Garden at Jimmy’s Farm.
Terri works in the e-commerce marketing department assisting the busy web team. Terri manages our blog and social media pages here at Thompson & Morgan and is dedicated to providing useful advice to our gardeners. Terri is new to gardening and keen to develop her horticultural knowledge.
by Terri Overett | Apr 9, 2015 | Gardening News, Gardening Posts
Our 2014 plant trials produced some surprising results for our Petunias. Weather conditions really put them to the test with a frustrating mix of heat waves and summer storms but, they didn’t fail to impress.
Traditionally, petunias are the first plants to take a hit from poor British weather, especially from heavy rain. However, our robust petunias stood strong, and bounced right back after our summer downpours showing little signs of damage. They really are a must have plant for resilient summer displays!
With built in weather resistance and robust habit, our Petunia ‘Crazytunia’ Collection is a spectacular patio variety. Upright growth in never seen before colour combinations, they offer great weather resistance, flowering beautifully in pots, beds or borders, come rain or shine.
‘These stunning blooms that have lasted summer and had many comments from visitors, especially the Green with Envy and Starlight Blue which are still flowering in the garden come October’ Geoff Stonebanks, Driftwood.
Trailing ‘Surfinia’ Mixed has the longest trailing stems of any petunias! Surfinia is one of the world’s most popular trailing varieties and it is with reason. Known for their impressive flower power, weather resistance and colour ranger, this variety will provide outstanding displays from June to September.
I remember reading a blog from one of our customer trial members. Alison was not a fan of petunias, but being a trial member she grew what we gave handed to her and of course, you guessed it, we gave her Petunias! Not to our surprise Alison was converted, you can find out more here.
Why not try them, and give petunias a firm place in your garden.
Terri works in the e-commerce marketing department assisting the busy web team. Terri manages our blog and social media pages here at Thompson & Morgan and is dedicated to providing useful advice to our gardeners. Terri is new to gardening and keen to develop her horticultural knowledge.
by Terri Overett | Mar 26, 2015 | Gardening News, Gardening Posts
The words ‘national gardening week’ spark so much excitement and ideas in my mind. National days have somewhat become a novelty, It is always national something. National flower day, national spinach day, and something totally un-gardening related national puppy day! Therefore as a gardener I welcome this national event with open arms. A celebration of everything that I love and adore, gardening!
National Gardening Week is taking place 13th- 19th April 2015 and is one of the country’s biggest celebrations of gardening. Along with thousands of people, charities and retailers, I will be getting involved this year by getting out into the garden and finally making a start on my dream garden. This time last year I was a beginner a gardener, to be totally honest with you I still am! However, one of the joys of working at Thompson & Morgan is that I have learnt so much in a short period of time. I pick up tips on our social media pages, and other blogs we receive from customers and gardening experts. So hopefully, it will come into use this year.
Are you getting involved this year? There are so many events for you to go along to and not only will you have fun, but you will be sure to pick up some useful information too. Why not join the team at RHS Wisely? They will be holding numerous events, talks and demonstrations to celebrate national gardening week.
You don’t always need to go the distance to take part and it doesn’t always need to involve breaking the bank. Why not hold a garden tea party for your friends and family and let them come to you and enjoy your beautiful garden displays. Or make it your mission to get your children outside and into the garden by planting their very first sunflower? The choice is endless!
Join the celebration and start something beautiful. Don’t forget to share your support and celebrations on Facebook and Twitter, I cannot wait to see what you get up to.
Terri works in the e-commerce marketing department assisting the busy web team. Terri manages our blog and social media pages here at Thompson & Morgan and is dedicated to providing useful advice to our gardeners. Terri is new to gardening and keen to develop her horticultural knowledge.
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