Arit Anderson

The ripple affect of sharing is no better experien

The ripple affect of sharing is no better experienced than @greatdixterofficial a hub of experience and knowledge bound by its history.

The sharing started with my dear friend @marianboswall who shared her invitation to the special event at Dixter with @davies_white & @andreedaviesdesigner and myself.

On arrival lunch was shared with guests before a tour of some unknown areas of the house & garden.

@fergusmustafasabrigarrett shared that infectious energy of his which seems to come from an unending source!

On days like this the joy of continual learning springs to the fore which will power me on for the rest of the week.

Have a lovely week all 🌸

Pic 1: Garden royalty @marianboswall @anna_pavord @keenkeengardener I love their colourful outfits 🥰

Pic 2: Homemade tartlets flanked by Dahlia Emory Paul

Pic 3: Zinging zinnias 🌺

Pic 4: @davies_white checking out blocked lead pipes…we were all a bit geeky about the waterworks at Dixter 💦

Pic 5: More zinnias 🌺

Pic 6: Creative patio stonework

Pic 7: Polygonum persicaria an annual aka “Kiss me over the Garden Gate”

pic 8: Team @andreedaviesdesigner @marianboswall @davies_white & me!

Pic 9: Sky meets garden = perfection 🥰

Pic 10: The exotic garden - fully immersive moment and you don’t know who’ll your bump into!! @fergusmustafasabrigarrett

#gardenday #inspiration #schoolday #learning #lastdaysofsummer #helloautumn

Today we have all been part of a historical moment

Today we have all been part of a historical moment in time. You may not have wanted to listen to, watch coverage or partake in the last 11 days of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II
I respect that may be your view.

However I have been taking some account of the last few days and have been quite touched by some of the interviews I have seen.

Death is a time of reflection. So for the whole nation to have the opportunity to do this together the energetic support that can have for those going through incredibly tough times can be profound.

My step children were not bought up with the Queen. Their age for one, but also they spent their younger years overseas.

Today 19.9.22 I wanted them to have a memory, albeit it in sad circumstances, for them to say in years to come….”oh yes that day we paid respect to the longest reigning monarch in the UK”

Respect is something I hope and pray will never go out of fashion or fade with an era.

Sending you all light and healing for whatever person or era you are having to say goodbye to.

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

PS note how the police bow their heads in respect as the cortège passes by

#respect
#Queen #Elizabeth #RIP
#reflection

My first memory of the Queen started when I learnt

My first memory of the Queen started when I learnt the National Anthem at school, quickly followed by her silver Jubilee in 1977 when I was aged 9. Like many of us all of the subsequent big milestones I celebrated with friends and family.

I never met the Queen but it has been my good fortune to catch glimpses and and take photos of her majesty @the_rhs Chelsea Flower Show where there was always hushed excitement of her arrival.

As the nation mourns her passing I hope this time of reflection helps us to hold those dear to us close, and remind us of how precious life is.

🌸🙏🏽🌸

It’s been some time since I’ve been on the gri

It’s been some time since I’ve been on the grid 😳 I keep intending to share stuff then…get way laid! I will do some “pastgrams” soon and hope you may still be interested.

Anyway this happened yesterday. A delightful meeting with Andy Jasper at Ham House and Garden and just as I was about to leave I was shown the Still Room.

The distillery room was often found in castles or great houses and would be run by the lady of the house. It was used to create medicines, cosmetics and a host of other concoctions with the wide range of herbs, flowers and plants grown on the estate.

I love how the team have beautifully curated this space where they have delicately collected flowers and plants from the grounds.

🌸🌸🌸

#inspiration
#driedflowers
#herbal #medicinal #beneficial
#traditional #methods

THEY DID IT!!! 🎉🎉🎉🚴🏽‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️

@horatioscycle team completed 1100 miles cycling to 11 spinal units across the country in 11 days!!!!

This young team are not professional cyclists but family and friends who dug deep to raise money for the amazing @horatiosgarden charity. The story is on my previous post.

Pic 1 We met the team to join them on the last leg, but we went ahead so they could arrive for their well deserved welcome

Pic 2 Emotional arrival of Titus, Robin, Toby, Olivia and Mortimer as their journey ended at Salisbury spinal injury unit. So proud of them all. Greeted by patients and staff alongside their family and friends.

Pic 3&4 the scenic route as part of our journey to meet the team

Pic 5 The force of nature that is @chappleolivia who still finds energy and drive to push this charity forward to meet its goal - gardens in every spinal unit as a legacy to her son Horatio.

Pic 6-9 The garden at Salisbury designed by @cleve_west 10 years ago still looking and feeling fantastic cared for by head gardener Lucy Thorpe. It provides a truly healing space for all that use it.

Pic 10 They have smashed their £50k target and the number is rising!!! THANK YOU TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO HAS DONATED - YOU HAVE CHANGED LIVES!!! And if you haven’t there is still time. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/horatioscycle

#goteamhoratio
#horatioscycle
#helpingothers
#makeadifference
#cycleheroes
#charityevent

For those of you who don’t know about @horatiosg

For those of you who don’t know about @horatiosgarden I’m going to give you a brief introduction.

Horatio had been volunteering at Salisbury Hospital, Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre and had been keen to improve the outside space for the patients, most of whom live on the unit for some months whilst receiving treatment. He understood the importance of a relaxing garden, a non-institutional space, for patients’ mental health.

His parents were supportive of his idea to create a garden, so he set about his research with the patients devising a questionnaire to understand their needs.

At the young age of 17 his life was cut short whilst on an expedition in Svalbard.

With generous donations and the love of his family his dream to create a garden at the Salisbury spinal unit came true.

Now 10 years on 7 out of the 11 spinal units in the UK have gardens. Top designers have given their time and expertise to create amazing spaces that quite literally have helped change lives.

Horatio’s mother who still runs this amazing charity kindly asked me to be at Salisbury to help celebrate and congratulate the riders of Horatio’s Cycle. A fabulous team of 5 who are cycling 11 hundred miles in 11 days to the 11 centres!!!

So…. I’m joining his mother who is CEO of the charity to cycle the last 11 miles into Salisbury. Yes I know that’s meagre in comparison to what they’ve done but I hope to help the charity raise more awareness and money.

If you could please donate what you can to this charity it would be so appreciated . The next 4 gardens funded will make a difference like the last 7 have.

Thank you and please share

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/horatioscycle

🚴🏽‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️

#goteamhoratio
#horatioscycle
#helpingothers
#makeadifference
#cycleheroes
#charityevent

Today is summer solstice! ☀️☀️☀️ A sp

Today is summer solstice! ☀️☀️☀️

A spectacular sunset the night before was the warm up to a glorious day of sun & light.

And when I come on to Instagram I was bowled over to see I have reached 20k followers! I would like to thank everyone who has taken the the time to follow, like and comment on my posts.

I remember a good friend @blinklondon encouraging me to get onto social media years ago when I was still at college. In particular @instagram

I said to her “really, who wants to read about my stuff” and she said “people who love gardening or who like your stuff!”

It’s me answering and try to reciprocate the time you given, if I don’t I promise I have read it!

I like to respond to most comments when I can, or at least acknowledge with a ❤️

Thank you again and hope you get some time in a garden this week
🌸🌸🌸

#happysolstice #morelight #summertime #longestday #gardenvibes #stonehenge

@bbcgwlive 2022 is over!! But I saw lots of plants

@bbcgwlive 2022 is over!! But I saw lots of plants making their way to new homes (yes including me ) so the show will live on!

Pics 1-5 a few highlights from @francestophill first ever show garden!! Plants, sustainability & recycling was rewarded with Platinum and Best in Show 👏🏽👏🏽 what an achievement
🌸🌸

Pic 6: Lovely @francestophill with Richard Holmes @mrterrapotta our Director @gardenersworldtv

Pic 7: A great day of filming with Adam Frost. 🌸🌸

Pic 8: it wouldn’t be a show without vegetables & salad crops grown by Terry with Jon Wheatley 🥬🥬

Pic 9: A day of talks! Thank you @davidhurrion @kevinsmithgarden @lucyhall_01 and in the picture of course the queen of smiles @nickichappers 🌸🌸🌸🌸

#gardenersworld #gardenersworldmagazine #gardenersworldlive #happypeople #plantlover #plantlife

Blouse: @tallulahandhope
Jacket: @mrs_lang1

What a lovely evening….. Good weather makes mos

What a lovely evening…..

Good weather makes most things magical, but honestly the work that Maggie Haynes and her team do @tuppennybarn would remain magical in a thunderstorm.

This woman set up such an amazing space to help others from an empty field and no experience.

Roll forward 16 years and her tenacity and kind heart is still helping her local community.

Tuppenny Barn is a UK registered charity who cultivate and harvest organic produce, using this to create learning experiences for all ages and to promote the benefits of growing, cooking and eating healthy food.

Maggies’s passion and drive is to teach children where fruit and vegetables come from, the benefits of eating nutritional food and give them the skills to grow and prepare their own meals.

This evening I was invited by the wonderful @guilfoyleannie (another force of nature) to be on a Gardeners Question Time panel. Thank goodness for the brilliant @tombrowngardener & @theworkinggarden, fellow panellists who are such knowledgeable gardeners.

The evening raised money for a local charity they are supporting @childrenontheedge which helps the world’s most marginalised children, in some of the toughest situations.

Through the joy of gardening we can always help others 🌸🌸🌸

#helpingothers #gardeninspiration #organicgardening #childeducation
#GQT #volunteer

OK! The long awaited post dedicated to the frocks!

OK! The long awaited post dedicated to the frocks!!

Chelsea and the shows are great as it’s the time when legitimately I can dress up! With the gardens looking fab I try to keep up.

By going to smaller brands that have unique prints, small runs, bespoke or one off’s its more unique and helps to support these businesses as when you are working for yourself it really is hard work.

I wouldn’t be able to afford new dresses every day, so it’s a blend of dresses I buy, are loaned or are discounted. I do make sure my dresses are repeatedly worn, and try not to save things “for best!”

Pic 1. All these dresses are by @ridleylondon who offers a great off the peg and bespoke service in Barnes and online. Camilla buys most of her fabrics from @libertylondon and she has styles that can be made in any of the fabrics and fitted to your size. I love the natural fibres of silks and cottons. 🥰

Pic 2. These dresses are from @lisataylor_design who creates her dresses from Indian vintage saris. You may like a style but every dress is unique. She works to colour palettes pastel to brights. It’s a must that all dresses have pockets and she does tops, skirts, scarves and gifts to. 🥰

Pic 2 Left. The necklace and ring is from @isleandember handcrafted jewellery by the talented Patrick Collins. Solid silver and gold leaf items that are light and delicate inspired by nature 🥰

Pic 3. @vandaanfashion is Dutch and I met her through my lovely friend @carienspolaroids who was wearing one of her scarves. Using fabric end of lines from @driesvannoten we worked together to use the fabric and design this dress. #oneofakind 🥰

Boots by @poddyandblack 🧡

Pic 4. Bought @thisiswhistles Dec 2019….a golden dress is not just for Christmas!!

Pic 5 Worn at Chelsea the first time a couple of years ago I still revisit the dress by @kemitelford Bold African style prints that stand out on crisp cottons.

Whatever your style & budget, whether vintage charity or designer there’s a frock out there for you. Wear it loads then pass on to be worn or recycled 🌸🌸🌸

#frock #happy #boldprints #dress #pockets #bespoke #unique #chelseaflowershow

Ok it’s the final filming day of my Chelsea 2022

Ok it’s the final filming day of my Chelsea 2022 - the Friday!! And the sun shone ☀️

For every hour filming it’s approx a minute of final tv…plus the time of the whizzy editors. Why so long? I fluff my lines, a high vis may be in shot, a plane goes over….normally on a good take! A sound splat on the mike…all sorts of reasons. But we are always aiming for the best🥇

Pic 1. @peetsteve my now dear friend who was the director I did my first film for tv with. Luckily he still puts up with me

Pic 2. With Designer @lillygomm for her garden A Swiss Sanctuary. Showed the diverse flora across Switzerland. 2nd time at Chelsea but first show garden a great achievement

Pic 3. Dear @gardensbygeorge our horticulturist researcher. She’s calm, knowledgeable and works super hard at making sure we know as much about the gardens as possible. 💚

Pic 4. @stepmart76 series producer of the Chelsea show! What can I say other than huge thank you asking me to join the BBC Chelsea family since 2017. The team are amazing led by you and Paolo our Exec producer. Big up production 🎉🎉

Pic 5. It was such an honour to be there with @pettitht Director of Shows for @the_rhs whilst giving out Peoples Choice to @anntreneman1 for Wild Kitchen Garden - Container Gardens

Pic 6. And I was also there filming @pollyanna_wilkinson get People’s Choice for The Mothers for Mother’s Garden, This Too Shall Pass

Pic 7. This is my darling friend Debbie who has known me since junior school. I haven’t see her for sometime so a fab surprise to see her at the show 🌸

Pic 8. I know this is not filming I was finished by now and just caught a quick pic with the lovely @adjoa.andoh Now that’s a great frock!! 🤩

Pic 9. Couldn’t leave the show without a hug (another one) from our beautiful belle @racheldethame. 🥰

Pic 10. And felt really lucky to meet @marcuswareing and @mrsmwareing we had a wonderful chat about there love of gardening 💚

A whistle stop tour. So many more plants, gardens and people and if you was there or watching I hope you had a good time!!

One last post will follow about…the dresses!! Where they are from.
Thank you to those who sent lovely comments.

Keep tuned to #gardenersworld 💚💚

Thursday Chelsea was my day off but my sister had

Thursday Chelsea was my day off but my sister had tickets so of course I wanted to see her.

The stores on Kings Rd had made huge efforts #chelseainbloom #chelseaflowershow #platinumjubilee
I out quite a few on stories a few days ago…..

Pic 1 & 2 show the effort levels!! 🎉

Pic 3 Time to pop in on my dear friend @patrickcollinslandscapes Collins at the Old Chelsea Town Hall where he was showcasing his handmade beautifully designed jewellery @isleandember

Pic 4 The super talented and creative @edible_bus_stop & Pascale looking ready to party at their plant studio The Planted House

Pic 5 Two of my faves Shane, fab cameraman and the fabulous @tobybucklandgardens

🌸🌸🌸

During Chelsea there are so many events going on,

During Chelsea there are so many events going on, it’s a great time to herald the new.

After filming on the Wednesday I was delighted and honoured to be invited to join a conversation and book launch.

Moody Blooms is Tricia Guild’s 20th book!
And as you can see from my page flick it’s packed with flowers and colour.

All of of the inspiration for @designersguild interior prints and palettes is driven by Tricia’s love of nature and flowers. Her belief is to bring the outdoors indoors, to make life either side of the door threshold as one.

@julietglaves who is an extremely talented florist in her own right is also the resident florist for the Kings Road store. And I can’t believe that it is only by a slither of time that I missed working with her on #gardenersworld where in a previous life she was a film director!

The garden and nature spills into the fabric of our lives in so many ways, textiles, interiors, the arts….it’s always with us.

Congratulations to Tricia, and the team for the new book. A special thanks to @amandaback20 who I am so grateful and glad I met on a train!! She is a force of nature herself and so instrumental in not only this book but the communication @designersguild

🌸🌸🌸

#newbook #exciting #floral #naturephotography #collaboration #flowerlovers #interiordesign #gardeninspiration

If you’re following my grid and a whistle tour o

If you’re following my grid and a whistle tour of Chelsea you know I’m as far as

Wednesday Filming Part 2:

After lunch an outfit change. As this next piece would be aired on Thursday.

Pic 1. Before dashing out great to meet Alistair McGowan, it’s always a surprise to see who’s behind the scenes booked by the lovely Ros

Pic 2: Mr Frost always a pleasure 😊

Pic 3: Now this is Mel from production and she’s brilliant at keeping us on our toes making sure the ‘film cards’ are getting back to the editors regularly

Pic 4. The florist theme this year was based on The Roots of Life, what we eat and what we breathe. @norris_floristry created a wonderful table display inspired by nature…

Pic 5. …as did Stephen McDonnell highlighting endangered plants and ecosystems in favour of food production

Pic 6: A shout out to @helenp.isaacs who has the arduous job of trying to keep me on track at the show….bravo Helen!! 🥰

Pic 7: T E A M! And that is who we are!! 💚💚💚

Had to dash after filming as I had an important event to attend….next up on the grid…🌸🌸🌸

#chelseaflowershow #florist #floristry #natureinspired #message

Yes….I’m still posting Chelsea! Well there lot

Yes….I’m still posting Chelsea! Well there lots of pics and it’s nice to reflect after the moment, instead of missing the moment to post about the moment! I’ve spoken about this before…it’s just how I roll. 😊

At Chelsea we get to see and work with our co-presenters. It was great to see @nickbailey365 and film an item where we looked at designers having their first Chelsea garden…and in the the floral marquee!! They all did a great job. Putting your self up for scrutiny from judges peers and the public is daunting especially when you’re so tired from putting your heart and soul into your work.

Filming Wednesday Part 1. (Yes same frock from Tuesday - Continuity 😉)

Pic 1. Nick and I on The Core Arts Front Garden Revolution by Andy @smithwilliams_gardens Breaking down barriers of two neighbouring front gardens can encourage socialising to improve mental health. He also packed in many sustainability design features to!

Pic 2: Andy proud on his garden!

Pic 3: The crew at work. @peetsteve Director, Steph on camera and Laura on sound.

Pic 4: We work out how to get the best camera shots based on what we’re going to say. Seen here on The Mothers for Mothers Garden – ‘This Too Shall Pass’ by @pollyanna_wilkinson

Pic 5: Pollyanna’s garden represents the challenges mothers can face during or post pregnancy with their young children. An important message, it’s not just “baby blues”

Pic 6: Dear Professor @griffithsalistair Director of Science @the_rhs a great advocator for many things health and horticulture being one 💚

Pic 7: This is @mariamorenotera just one of the lovely team members @thenewtinsomerset The new supporters of the Chelsea Flower Show. They were fantastic hosts

Pic 8: The space to meet, relax or catch up on yourself in the throng of Chelsea. Really appreciated with huge thanks to @thenewtinsomerset 💚👌🏾

#chelseaflowershow #newdesigners #teamwork #hospitality #workingtogether

Tuesday Filming Part 2: In the afternoon it’s a

Tuesday Filming Part 2:

In the afternoon it’s a change of frocks as the film will be aired on the Weds. The make up artist takes a pic so we know what we’ve used! Peoples Choice and I got to present 3. We change our technique, this time is factual and more formal so that we have no bias when we show the gardens. It’s for the public decide who their winner is!

Pic 1. The hidden world of the fungi network a huge part of the interconnected relationship between plants & trees as shown on The Meta Garden: Growing the Future

Pic 2: Exquisite embroidered mushrooms loaned to this garden by @amandacobbett

Pic 3: @joeperkinsdesign the designer of the Meta Garden.

Pic 4: Hanging out on A ReWilding Britain Landscape by @urquhart_hunt, built by @lalandscapes had huge attention to detail showing us the environmental benefits of bioengineers - beavers 🦫

Pic 5: Very lucky to have my picture taken with Chelsea legend @andysturgeondesign I believe this year is his last at Chelsea. All the best for the future 🤩

Pic 6. Andy Sturgeon’s The Mind Garden was designed to inspire us to connect with other people to improve our mental well being. The garden is being relocated and will be used to provide eco-therapy for people with mental health problems.

7. Sue Biggs Director General of the RHS is leaving and who better than @alantitchmarshmbe to start the proceedings with a lyrical, humorous, but sensitive speech of memories & thanks 🌸

Pic 8: Sue Biggs on fine form saying her goodbyes whilst trying to acknowledge everyone in the crowd. Good luck Sue 🎉🎉🎉

#rhschelseaflowershow #gardendesign #goldmedalists #peopleschoice
The winner was @richardmiers 🎉

Tuesday Filming Part 1: When we do our items we ha

Tuesday Filming Part 1:
When we do our items we have a key heading and some background information. As presenter we work with our directors to craft a narrative that we hope the viewer will be interested in and enjoy. This item was about ‘Structures’ in the Sanctuary Gardens. It’s for me to interpret the role they are playing and hopefully impart some tips on how the viewer can take inspiration from them. The director ensures the content is understood, grammatically correct (it’s so easy to get tongue tied!) and that the storytelling is captured through the many angles of the lens. 🎥🎬

Pic 1. The Body Shop Garden by @thebeautybotanist the oversized st arches give drama, whilst making a small space feel larger

Pic 2. It was extremely cold this morning…diving in and out of my cardi

Pic 3. The Plantman’s Ice Garden was certainly creating a cooler microclimate!

Pic 4. Kingston Maurward The Space Within Garden. This structure framed the garden and created an entrance, a boundary with integrated seat.

Pic 5. @gardendesignbymichellebrown overwhelmed but happy with her achievements 👏🏽

Pic 6. This garden Circle of Life made the structure not only functional but a metaphor for the storytelling

Pic 7. Good to meet the designer and landscaper of the Circle of Life Garden Yoshihiro Tamura & @cube_1994

Pic 8. With my lovely friends @nickichappers & @racheldethame
🌸🌸

Pic 9. And two more lovelies @jekkamcvicar & @angellicabell 🌸🌸

Sunday Filming Part Two The BBC Chelsea Team prod

Sunday Filming Part Two

The BBC Chelsea Team produce over 15 hours of TV for daytime and evening coverage, some live and some “near live”. The turnaround of editing is quick and slick. It never ceases to amaze me how much hard-work goes behind the 3 minute item that finally hits the screen.

We have to jump in and out of outfits for the right day #continuity

Pic 1. On CityScapes The St Mungo’s Putting Down Roots Garden by @adolfo_gardens & @darryl_moore_design bravo on your first Chelsea Garden 👏🏽

Pic 2: BBC Crew at work 💪🏽

Pic 3 & 4: Taking time to go visit Connected, by Exante designed by @tainasuonio Another great space being relocated to a hospital

Pic 5: The Plantman’s Ice Garden by John Warland, did the ice melt?

Pic 6: Dame @saraheberlelandscape with over 19 gold medals delivers another masterpiece 🥇

Pic 7: Great to see another epic sculpture from John Everiss on his The RAF Benevolent Fund Garden

Pic 8: The blanket on the Alder Hey Urban Foraging Station by Hugh & Howard Miller

Pic 9: First timers @ths62 & @theblackgardener had a great time delivering Hands Off Mangrove by Grow2Know

#chelseaflowershow #gardendesign

I wish I could say my face was purely au natural f

I wish I could say my face was purely au natural for Chelsea, but it’s the one time when we get professional makeup and it’s a treat!!

I’m not great when it comes to putting on make up. I’m a mascara, lipstick only girl most days.

A huge thank you to @donnamaylondon who works miracles on me, we always have a giggle to.

I love the video she made….see who’s behind the cover….💋💋💋

🌸🌸🌸

#chelseaflowershow #behindthescenes #makeup #makeupartist #cameraready #lookgood #feelgood

Sunday Filming/Sunday Show: @the_rhs #chelseaflowe

Sunday Filming/Sunday Show: @the_rhs #chelseaflowershow

Pic 1. Early start with @sophieraworth as we introduced how inspirational the small gardens at Chelsea can be for those of us with small spaces.

Pic 2: The fabulous outside broadcast team who are brilliant at keeping us all on track 💚

Pic 3: Squinting in the sunlight is not my best look but it doesn’t matter because it’s all about the fantastic gardens.

Pic4: The Blue Garden by @tomwilkesrios bravo on your silver medal 🥈

Pic 5: Well done @plantyjane Gold Medal for The Still Garden on the container category. 🥇

Pic 6: Filming with the lovely Steph houseplant Planet Studio

Pic 7: Congratulations to @plantsbythere for your Gold Medal 🥇

Pic 8: Was lucky enough to to bump into @quentyquestions @cqgardens and we had a lovely chat and a quick pic.

Pic 9: It was fab to see @edible_bus_stop & @pascale.duval as they were doing last prep on their garden but all worth it as they received Silver Gilt 🌱🌱

#chelseaflowershow #smallgarden #inspiration #plants 💚💚