I love an edible window box. Gorgeous to look at, with tasty bites.
These delicate violas are from viola specialist Wildegoose Nursery (Viola cornuta ‘Winona Cawthorne’ I think) and as well as being edible, they have a delicious honey scent. And planted alongside are some wonderfully textured mustard leaves. Red Frills, Golden Streaks, Green in Snow and Giant Red are all in the mix. Dead-heading keeps the violas constantly flowering, although I might have to replace some of the mustard leaves soonish, which are just about going to seed.
And talking about edibles, I went to see the new Tord Boontje’s ‘Dawn to Dusk’ swivelling chairs on the Thames at the weekend as part of the Chelsea Fringe. They’re right next to Vauxhall Bridge, so easy to get to (Vauxhall tube is the nearest).
They’re handsome benches (modelled here by the gorgeous Gianna),
beautifully planted up with drought tolerant plants which look great against the rusted steel.
I particularly liked the Tulbaghia violcea (aka Society Garlic), a stunner of a plant of which both stems and flowers are edible, with quite a garlicy kick. Which almost makes this an edible chair?
Now here’s the turning bit. Below, there’s me giving you a twirl with the London Eye behind.
And here’s the very accommodating Andrew and his parents who let me film them while they were out Chelsea Fringing too. All great fun!
Out of my shed 