Be the first to register your project for the Chelsea Fringe 2015. If you’ve already been assigned a Project Co-ordinator, ask them for the password that allows you to begin registration (see Get Involved). If you have an idea for a project but haven’t yet contacted the Chelsea Fringe please email us at info@chelseafringe.com to discuss your idea.
For details of our registration rates, click on Get Involved. NB There’s an Early Bird discount of 10% for all registrations made by 31 March.
Harriot Lane Fox is part of the team that answers emails to the Chelsea Fringe inbox – she gives friendly advice on how to take part in the festival. Here she tells us more about what being a green-fingered impresario involves.
What kind of projects is the Fringe looking for? The Chelsea Fringe manifesto, if that doesn’t sound too up-the-revolution, is fantastically inclusive. We celebrate anything to do with gardens and gardening as long as it’s legal. The basic ingredient is plants but that could be growing them – in allotments, on round-abouts, behind private front doors, up posh hotel walls; turning them into art or high fashion, serenading them, writing odes, telling stories, putting them on the menu and even into cocktail shakers. In fact, it’s probably easier to say what we’re not looking for (that would be burger vans; thanks for getting in touch but we’re not that kind of festival!).
What makes a good Fringe project? The best ones really engage their audiences, non-gardeners as well as the green-fingered. For instance, last year we had a new medicinal garden where visitors could learn how to brew up potions, a celebration of sci-fi author John Wyndham with a triffid-making workshop, and a mobile ice-cream machine using community-grown plants to create crazy flavours. I know that if I get a tingle from the first email enquiry, so will our visitors when they read the listing.
The other ingredient is more practical. While we can help projects discover their inner Fringe-y-ness, in the end they have to be well organised and self-propelled.
What happens once my project is approved? We don’t have paid staff (or an office). Instead the Fringe operates a kind of buddy system. Once we think your project is suitable, we hook you up with a volunteer co-ordinator, someone based nearby if possible, to help you sign up. You will need to have all the listing nitty gritty finalised first, and a picture ready, because what you put into the form is what goes online; “TBA” is not OK.
Early-birding is worth it, if you can. Registration gives projects access to tips on marketing and using social media, and our PR person, Rosie, will include you in her Fringe publicity campaign, bolstering your own. Our media partner BBC Radio London has already begun previewing the festival.
We also have two public meetings. The first, on March 4, is a chance to pick the brains of fellow Fringers (Fringies? Fringe-istas?), both co-ordinators and veteran project organisers. The second is in mid-May – the date is to be confirmed – and is when you will collect the branding board to help visitors find you.
Is it possible to set up a project outside London? Absolutely. The Chelsea Fringe has gone viral. We generally say you need five or six events in one place to qualify as a satellite fringe, and this year we are adding Henley-on-Thames, Milan, Melbourne and Nagoya (Japan), to Ljubljana, Brighton, Bristol, Kent and Vienna. There are also lone events and other projects only exist online.
Is there any funding or sponsorship available? Not unless you raise it yourself. To say we operate on a shoestring is to flatter the Fringe bank balance. That’s why we have so many different registration rates, to enable lone artists and garden designers, underfunded community groups and primary schools, and every size of charity to take part. This is a grass-roots festival.
Interested in taking part? Email info@chelseafringe.com
The medieval city of Ljubljana joins Chelsea Fringe Festival for a second year, with events taking place across street markets, community allotments, rooftops and balcony gardens. Italian Fringe venues include ancient farmhouses in the Po Valley in the north, a secret garden in Florence, and an innovative “park of new opportunities” near Mount Etna. The Japanese cities of Nagoya and Fukuoka will be joining in the fun, with 19 events including community projects and a truck that’s been transformed into a garden. Down under in Australia, two botanic gardens will be showcasing the work of students celebrating how life is sustained and enriched by plants. And in the UK, there’s a rich cross-pollination of ideas and events across the nation, from Aberdeenshire to Kent.
Melbourne and Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens join the Fringe to celebrate how ‘Life is sustained and enriched by plants’ with a series of pop-up art gardens created by students.
Boboli the Alchemic Garden Follow the alchemic symbolism of the Medici in the Boboli gardens on a walk led by expert on ancient traditions Costanza Riva.
Artigianato e Palazzo The Giardino Corsini is hosting a series of events including a showcase for artisan products, a cookery demo, and a Blogs&Crafts event, in which 10 young makers will show off their craft skills, while 10 young writers live blog about them.
Spunta il Seme – ‘The Seed Peeps Out’ Local plant lovers go on a seed collecting safari and share tips on successful seed saving.
Gli Agrumi dell’Orto – ‘Citrus in the Garden’ Botanical drawings by Simonetta Occhipinti in the lemonary of Florence’s Botanical Garden, which reopens this year after restoration.
Boundary/33 Three artists and a chef guide visitors on a journey through an enclosed and hidden walled garden that plays with the concept of boundaries.
Tutto sulle Aromatiche – ‘All About Herbs’ Hands-on workshops on the identification and use of aromatic plants at the Association Radici Quadrate. The herbs on display in the Association’s garden were grown using organic methods by the inmates of the Mario Gozzini prison in Florence.
Olmo’s Garden Walk Scandicci, near Florence. Olmo’s garden is a labour of love tucked away in the hilly area south of Florence. Alessandro Vergari, its curator, will take you on a short walk, pausing for readings from his book Con le Mani nella Terra, and to indentify wild flowers and herbs.
Let’s Discover the Virgilian Wood Get an insight into the landscape that inspired the poet Virgil to write the Bucolics, on a walk through ancient oaks of the Riazzolo forest led by Nicolò Reverdini, and travel to a protected ‘agricultural park’ to see how the Lombardy plain used to look.
Bicycle Ride Among the Trees Bike around the historic centre with agronomist Francesca Oggionni, and identify the city’s most significant trees.
Preserved Nature A rare chance to visit the herbarium of Milan’s Natural History Museum – normally closed to the public – with Dr Mami Azuma, who will give a guided tour of highlights from the 30,000 precious items in the collection.
Let’s Put Our Hands in the Earth Milan’s city government is allowing a radical remake of its municipal flowerbeds by handing over several of them to school children for them to try out experimental planting schemes that the parks department will then maintain. A reminder that these little patches of urban greenery are a public asset and belong to us.
Conversations at the farmhouse Public lectures on landscape and architecture, and the relationship between cultivation and culture. Part of the first ‘Milan, Rural City’ conference that aims to create new alliances between the city and the surrounding countryside.
Blendscape: new visions A series of symposia taking a new look at the city and its surroundings as if they were one big garden, waiting to be cultivated and cared for.
Piet Oudolf Lecture Writer and cultural commentator Claudia Zanfi hosts an illustrated lecture on influential designer Piet Oudolf.
The Man Who Planted Trees A dramatic monologue based on the short story by Jean Giono. This tells the tale of a shepherd’s single-handed efforts to re-forest a desolate valley in the foothills of the Provençal Alps in the first half of the 20th century.
Nurseries in Italy; Projects in the world National conference examining the contribution of Italian nurseries to greening leading cities around the world.
LET1 Cycle Path The launch of a 36km circular cycle path in conjunction with the LET Landscape Expo Tour.
Umbrella fiorita con MatriosKe This work by installation artist Francesca Fadalti and floral designer Simone Sirtori travels to Milan by way of Brescia (see below).
Flora Italica A travelling installation underlining the effort needed to preserve local flora by LandAlab.
Orto Storto Upcycle fruit boxes to make a kitchen garden.
Passegiata in the Parco del Serio Walk through a typical lowland ecosystem, discovering heritage varieties of fruit and wild gardens, feast on herb pancakes, then tour waterscapes, fountains and farmhouses with landscape architect Alessandro Carelli.
Perennials for a mixed border Garden design workshop with Rosanna Castrini in the beautiful terraced garden of Bergamo’s Palazzo Moroni.
Umbrella fiorita con MatriosKe This work by installation artist Francesca Fadalti and floral designer Simone Sirtori travels to Bergamo from Milan and Brescia (see below).
Flora Italica A travelling installation underlining the effort needed to preserve local flora by LandAlab.
Orto Storto Upcycle fruit boxes to make a kitchen garden.
Umbrella fiorita con MatriosKe Toscolano Maderno, 40km from Brescia The Botanical Gardens hosts a work by installation artist Francesca Fadalti and floral designer Simone Sirtori using matryoska nesting dolls to show how nature offers both protection and shelter. The work is a tribute to three dedicated Italian plantswomen who travelled the globe in search of new species, and who fought for the protection of great gardens.
Orto Storto Toscolano Maderno, 40km from Brescia Upcycle fruit boxes to make a kitchen garden.
Flora Italica Installation underlining the effort needed to preserve local flora by LandAlab.
The use of wild plants in ornamental gardens Based on the plantings around Brescia’s castle, this exhibition shows sustainable new varieties of wild plants suitable for garden use.
Tasting dinner of native herbs Learn to identify foraged wild plants from the surrounding countryside, then enjoy eating them as part of a gourmet dinner, accompanied by early music.
Matiteverdi green experience Matiteverdi, an advocate for outdoor space, leads school children in a session to create a small community garden.
The Old Villa outside the city The ‘Villa di Campagna’ as a model of sustainability. Event celebrating the farm estates of the 16th to 18th centuries around Brescia and Cremona, when self-sufficiency and stewardship of the land were the norm.
Green corner with ice cream Giarre, near Etna. Landscape designer Ermanno Casasco shares his passion for Mediterranean gardens at Radicepura – which describes itself as a ‘Park of New Opportunities’ – over a granita, Sicily’s famous slushy dessert.
Plant Fair Growers set out their stalls for a seedling and plant sale and swap at the University Botanic Gardens of Ljubljana.
Third National Crops2swap Day What better way to eat better, save money, reduce food waste and meet the neighbours? Crops2swap (or Zelemenjava in Slovene) is a way to exchange surplus seeds, young plants and produce from your home garden – the only rule is, no money can change hands. This event takes place in Ljubljana and 17 other towns in Slovenia.
Rooftop Garden Classroom Learn how to make chamomile skin-soothers, herbal teas to aid concentration for studying, and healthy lunches at the community rooftop garden at the Jozͮe Plecͮnik Ljubljana High School.
Four Ps in our Garden Drum Castle and Garden, Banchory, Aberdeen A photography competition, poetry, planting up a Bag for Life as a doorstep herb garden, and people-focused walks and workshops.
Strictly Gardening Hayward’s Heath A fun, community-inspired event including a public Question Time on all things green, and a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
Oh Beehive! Henfield Austin Flowers will be creating a buzz in the largest beehive in Sussex at the Sussex Prairie Garden.
HoneyComb Meadow Mobile, interlinking hexagonal planters in Bristol’s Millennium Square create a river of wildflowers, and a safe route through the city centre for pollinators.
Arboreata Streeta A community led art installation, part of the Southbank Bristol Arts Trail, and a celebration of trees in the city.
Luckwell Park Community Day The Luckwell Improvement Project, run by local people, brings three adjacent plots of open space together for community use – their fun day, complete with hanging basket project, is part of the Fringe.
Bee Wheelin’ Garden A free, two-day workshop to create a mobile seating, eating and planting structure using reclaimed timber, spare bike parts and wild plants.
Bristol Victorian House Garden Grenville Johnson’s garden – complete with a temple folly and mossy grotto – is open to the public during the Chelsea Fringe. Grenville’s garden is in Kensington Road: the Resident’s Association is a five-time winner of the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood competition, and is now working with Bristol University to introduce bee-friendly zones in the neighbourhood.
Horticultural Village The 152nd Royal Bath & West Show hosts a new ‘horticultural village’ this year, with pop-up gardens and interactive workshops, plus the Instant Garden Challenge, where teams compete to build a garden from scratch.
Bristol Patchwork Community Gardening Group A gardening session – part of a regular monthly programme – to help transform and maintain abandoned plots of land in the Bedminster area of Bristol.
Bristol Wild Food Feast A day of foraging in the hedgerows and wild areas of the Community Farm in Somerset, followed by a demonstration of how to turns these into a delicious meal. The Community Farm is a social enterprise growing and selling organic food through a box delivery service, with the aim of helping people develop a better understanding of where their food comes from, and reconnect with the land.
Pick-up Pollinators An installation in an upcycled Mitsubishi pick-up truck planted with edible plants, to show how vital bees and other pollinating insects are for our food security.
Photography in the Garden: Quick Start Guide An enjoyable “how-to” in the beautiful and exotic surroundings of the University of Bristol Botanic Garden.
Bristol Southville Garden Club Talk Martin from Go Foraging tells how much free food is available, provided you know what you are looking for.
Bristol Get Growing Garden Trail More than 25 community projects to explore, ranging from pocket growing sites in parks, to miniature orchards tucked behind shops.
The Bathtub Pond at No.38 – Feeding Time The caretaker of a pond in a front garden in Cambridge says: “People seem to like it,” so is opening up feeding time for its fish, tadpoles, frogs and other creatures to the public for the duration of the Fringe.
Floatopia Artist Amy Spencer’s illuminated floating garden at Jesus Green Lock on the River Cam embodies philosopher Michel Foucault’s notion of heterotopia: pieces of floating space, disconnected places that live by their own devices.
Cambridge Tripping the Light Plantastic: Dancing the Flowers A spoken-word and improvised dance event in Murray Edwards Garden.
Floral Flotilla Henley’s boat owners will be decorating their craft – from paddle boards to paddle steamers – with all things plant-and flower-related for a parade up and downstream from Mill Meadows.
Wallflowers: an exhibition of floral art Artworks with a floral theme by artists with links to the Henley area.
The Healing Gardeners Complementary therapists who also happen to love plants and gardens offer a taste of relaxing healing and (if the weather’s good) a cup of tea in the garden.
Babylon Plants and Flowers Open Day Admire the floral installation inspired by a Matisse cut-out, with the chance to buy plants (normally trade only) and enjoy a refreshing glass of lemonade and a slice of homemade cake.
An Evening of Floral Couture and Cocktails Pink is the new black: find out how to create your summer wardrobe from what’s growing in the garden, while you sip on botanical cocktails courtesy of Floral Circus.
Bosley Patch open garden and community art event Learn how to hand-tie a posy, find insects and amphibians among the vegetables and enjoy the chaos and the beauty of a spring garden at Bosley Patch, a family-run market garden. Children have the chance to take part in a fantastic floral art project, building a Matisse-inspired garden in an afternoon. For adults, refreshment is provided by local brewery Lovibonds.
Let’s Be Honest Hawkhurst Visit the new walled garden in one of the best-preserved Victorian kitchen gardens in the country, and remember the ‘Tongswood 14’ from the estate who lost their lives fighting in the First World War. This event highlights the great work done by the charity Gardening Leave, which helps ex-servicemen and women heal from the invisible wounds of conflict.
Floristry Talk Doddington, near Sittingbourne. Jen Stuart Smith of Blooming Green will give the inside track on making the most of cut flowers in a talk at Doddington Place Gardens.
Growing and Caring for Sweet Peas Doddington, near Sittingbourne A talk by Philip Johnson of Johnson’s Sweet Peas.
Cross Pollination at the Fringe Tunbridge Wells Three artists – Anne Kelly, Rosie MacCurrach and Louise Pettifer – show drawings, paintings, prints and textiles from their time as artist in residence at Sussex Prairies, Great Dixter and Sissinghurst respectively.
Blooming Gardens Deal Walmer Castle launches its newly restored, Jekyll-inspired Broadwalk borders, which have been four years in the making, in a day of talks, tours, teas, games and live music.
Plants for Difficult Places Doddington, near Sittingbourne Professional gardener Quentin Stark reveals his choice of plants that will survive anything for those tricky corners of the garden where nothing else will grow.
The Chelsea Fringe is growing so fast, and new events are being added all the time. Keep up-to-date by searching by location or visiting our What’s On page for more. And don’t forget, there’s still time to join our Friends scheme, volunteer or register a Fringe event.
The Chelsea Fringe kicks off on Saturday 16 May and runs for three weeks. We’ve got a stellar cast of fringeistas – from gardeners, artists and chefs to historians and wildlife experts – to introduce to you.
Fancy taking a look behind the scenes at Covent Garden? Or maybe you’d like to learn how to grow tomatoes – or even a ball of string. There’s the chance to explore parks, river banks and forgotten paths from Twickenham to Clapton… Whatever your interests, there’s sure to be a Fringe event for you.
The events listed here are just a taster, with new ones joining all the time, so don’t forget to check back for updates. And if you’re outside London, you can use the pull-down menu under ‘Locations’ to find fun Fringe activities in your area.
The Wellington Tower, Oldfield Partners, SW1
A witty commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
This garden installation is on the site of Bedlam – Bethlam Royal Hospital – the world’s oldest psychiatric hospital, and brings together medicine, history and horticulture in its exploration of therapeutic regimes for mental health.
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Download a free map and discover Edible Bankside Projects in the heart of London.
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
This art installation in Turnham Green’s wildflower meadows is habitable, and aims to attract both solitary and bumble bees and over the duration of this year’s Chelsea Fringe Festival.
Behind the Wall, Vauxhall, SW8
Your chance to take a tour of the UK’s largest Wholesale Flower Market at New Covent Garden and see what goes on behind the scenes.
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
An archipelago of small floating islands on the Lake at Queen Mary’s Gardens in Regent’s Park highlights the threat to wildlife and underwater vegetation in our urban rivers and canals.
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
The ultimate shed, decorated with a patchwork of flowers and leaves made from the latest collections of fabrics and wallpapers.
Practical Pharmacy: workshop on preparing medicinal herbs, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
Rasheeqa Ahmad leads a session foraging for spring plants and showing how to turn these into oils, balms and medicinal preparations.
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Postcard collector Sophie Hill looks at a selection of images that take gardens as their inspiration.
BEST of BOST – Minibeast Motels, Diversity Garden, SE1
Discover which bugs are helpful in the garden and how to identify them, and learn how to make a bug hotel which you can take home at the end of the session.
Stories of Stockwell, Oasis Nature Garden, SW4
Local residents began transforming a patch of derelict land in 1973 into an adventure playground, a go-kart track and a secret paradise of pond and veg patch, woods and meadow. Join them for a full programme of activities throughout the festival, including bird box and seed-bomb making workshops, live storytelling sessions and cinema nights.
Edible Askew Road, Starch Green, W12
Hammersmith Community Gardens Association are teaming up with Askew Business Network to present a treasure trail, plant sale and fancy dress competition inspired by The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
Happy Seeds Festival – Tomato Planting Extravaganza, St James’s, SE14
A festival of live music, food, drink, arts and crafts, and a chance to learn about growing tomatoes, with 100 varieties available for sale and planting.
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Photographic and sound installations by Corinne Silva, exploring Israel’s suburban gardens, parks and public places as a tool of aggressive state expansion into Palestinian territories.
Hoopy and Happy with Hahahopscotch, Fenton House, NW3
A chance for children to travel back in time and play the games their great-grandparents might have enjoyed, with hoops, sack races and tug-of-war on offer.
Horticultural Clapton Walk, Geffrye Museum, E2
Explore Clapton, beginning at the beautifully landscape Springfield Park and ending at the 21st-century garden attraction recently opened Sutton House.
Discover the Poetry Path at King Henry’s Walk Garden, Islington, N1
King Henry’s Walk Garden is three times winner of best community garden in London in Bloom, and its abundance of flowers, fruit, vegetables, insects and trees has inspired some memorable poetry.
Dig, Eat and Dye, Wilton Estate Community Garden, E8
Fun activities including natural dyeing and growing a ball of string, as well as plants to buy, cake to eat and tea to drink.
Are you Coming to Strawberry Fayre? Hackney, E9
Visit the award-winning garden at Lauriston School, enjoy a strawberry cream tea or a glass of Pimms, say hello to the chickens and make a mini scarecrow to take home.
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
The Athenaeum is marking the Chelsea Fringe with a special afternoon tea including orange blossom scones, rose-scented macaroons and strawberry tartlets with lavender jam.
Wildlife Gardening Workshop, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
Workshop led by Froglife on how to make urban parks and gardens attractive to amphibians and reptiles, and in the process counteract the capital’s increasing loss of wildlife habitats.
Drawing Squares of Georgian London, starts Bedford Square, WC1
Historian Tom Gretton leads a tour of three Central London gardens, talking about the way they evolved from a communal space into a place of private recreation, followed by a 30-minute drawing class by artist Gilly Hatch.
Exploring the Arcadian Thames: a walk from Twickenham to Richmond, starts York House, TW1
Garden historian Chris Sumner and Sally Williams, Keeper of the Inventory, London Parks and Gardens Trust, lead a two-and-a-half-hour riverside walk finishing with the best view in London at Terrace Gardens.
Grow Wild and Phytology at Pill Box Kitchen, Bethnal Green, E2
Sample delicious food, beer, cider and honey icecream while finding out about pollinating insects and herbal uses of our favourite common wild flowers.
Cycle – Flower – Power, Bethnal Green, E2
A group of cyclists are pedalling from Manchester to Bethnal Green to promote urban wild planting and sustainability. Join them at The Pillbox Kitchen for food, drink and chat.
SUNDAY MAY 17
The Wellington Tower, SW1 (see Saturday 16)
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1 (see Saturday 16)
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1 (see Saturday 16).
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4 (see Saturday 16)
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2 (see Saturday 16)
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5 (see Saturday 16)
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10 (see Saturday 16)
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5 (see Saturday 16)
Discover the Poetry Path at King Henry’s Walk Garden, Islington, N1 (see Saturday 16)
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1 (see Saturday 16)
Drawing Squares of Georgian London, Bedford Square, WC1 (see Saturday 16)
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
An exhibition of postcards and text around the theme of gardens.
Gardeners’ Question Time, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, SE11
Radio Four’s Gardeners’ Question Time comes to The Tea House Theatre on Vauxhall Walk. Early booking advised.
Wild Food Guided Walk, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
Join Ken, the cemetery park manager, for a guided tour of the park and discover the beauty of seasonal wild produce, collecting fresh leaves to make herbal infusions, and sampling berries and roots along the way.
Fête, Felting and Film, The South Norwood Botanical Institute, SE24
The institute opens its doors to show off its herbarium, library and beautiful new botanically themed wallpaper by local artist Augusta Akerman. Women of the Cloth will be running a needle felting workshop. You can also sample botanical icecreams from the Garden Café and watch The Creeping Garden, a documentary based on slime moulds – possibly not both at the same time.
‘Do we need thinkinGardens?’ The Supper Debate, Coach and Horses, W1
ThinkinGardens is an online magazine ‘for people who want more than gardening from gardens’. Its mission is to explore gardens as they relate to the other arts, philosophy, and society. On the occasion of its tenth birthday, editor Anne Wareham, asks ‘Do we still need ThinkinGardens? And if we do, what for?’
MONDAY 18 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1 (see Saturday 16)
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1 (see Saturday 16)
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1 (see Saturday 16).
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4 (see Saturday 16)
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2 (see Saturday 16)
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5 (see Saturday 16)
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10 (see Saturday 16)
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5 (see Saturday 16)
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1 (see Saturday 16)
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2 (see Sunday 17)
A Celebration of the ROSE, The Flower Lounge, SW1
Neill Strain Floral Couture, based in London’s Belgravia, celebrates the rose with a display of old, new and rare varieties, some of which have never been seen before in this country.
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Enter the dark interior of a shipping container to discover the edgy sub-soil world of roots and bulbs, with an explosion of petals and colour to reward you at the end of your journey.
Dartmouth Park Talks – It’s all about the soil, The Star, N19
Soil is one of our most precious resources. It allows our plants and food systems to thrive. While our food security may be under threat from intensive, monocultural farming systems, we can take matters into our own hands and tend the soil in our own back yards. Join us for this debate on how to improve and protect it.
TUESDAY MAY 19
The Wellington Tower, SW1 (see Saturday 16)
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2 (see Saturday 16)
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1 (see Saturday 16)
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1 (see Saturday 16).
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4 (see Saturday 16)
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5 (see Saturday 16)
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10 (see Saturday 16)
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5 (see Saturday 16)
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1 (see Saturday 16)
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2 (see Sunday 17)
A Celebration of the ROSE, The Flower Lounge, SW1 (see Monday 18)
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9 (see Monday 18)
Espacio Gallery, ‘Germination’, Bethnal Green, E2
Espacio’s third Fringe exhibition showing 18 artists’ diverse and exciting interpretations of the natural world.
Pick up a Stitch at the Inner Temple Garden, EC4
A pop-up knitting club creates colourful woollen pom-poms, knitted cosies and other decorations for the trees and statues of Inner Temple Garden.
Composting with Sandworms: The horticulture of Dune, Seven Dials Club, WC2
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Frank Herbert’s epic science fiction novel Dune with an evening of exobiology – the branch of science that deals with the possibility, and likely nature, of life on other planets and in space.
WEDNESDAY MAY 20
The Wellington Tower, SW1 (see Saturday 16)
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2 (see Saturday 16)
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1 (see Saturday 16)
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1 (see Saturday 16).
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4 (see Saturday 16)
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5 (see Saturday 16)
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10 (see Saturday 16)
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5 (see Saturday 16)
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1 (see Saturday 16)
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2 (see Sunday 17)
A Celebration of the ROSE, The Flower Lounge, SW1 (see Monday 18)
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9 (see Monday 18)
Espacio Gallery ‘Germination’. Bethnal Green, E2 (See Tuesday 19)
Special Almshouses Tours, Geffrye Museum, E2
A restored almshouse has been taken back to its original state, to show the living conditions of the poor and elderly in London in former times. During the Chelsea Fringe, tours will include a visit to the gardens.
Oasis outdoor cinema night, Stockwell, SW4
Film to be confirmed.
THURSDAY 21 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1 (see Saturday 16)
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2 (see Saturday 16)
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1 (see Saturday 16)
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1 (see Saturday 16).
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4 (see Saturday 16)
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5 (see Saturday 16)
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10 (see Saturday 16)
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5 (see Saturday 16)
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1 (see Saturday 16)
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2 (see Sunday 17)
A Celebration of the ROSE, The Flower Lounge, SW1 (see Monday 18)
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9 (see Monday 18)
Espacio Gallery ‘Germination’, Bethnal Green, E2 (See Tuesday 19)
The Garden of You… and the Wishing Tree, Battersea Flower Station, SW11
A piece of contemporary interactive theatre set in a fantasy garden.
Climbing the Walls – How to Grow Your Own Living Wall, Piccadilly, W1
Daniel Bell, the man behind the 22m-high living wall at The Athenaeum Hotel, gives the inside track on vertical gardening.
FRIDAY 22 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1 (see Saturday 16)
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2 (see Saturday 16)
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1 (see Saturday 16)
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1 (see Saturday 16).
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4 (see Saturday 16)
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5 (see Saturday 16)
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10 (see Saturday 16)
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5 (see Saturday 16)
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1 (see Saturday 16)
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2 (see Sunday 17)
A Celebration of the ROSE, The Flower Lounge, SW1 (see Monday 18)
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9 (see Monday 18)
Espacio Gallery ‘Germination’. Bethnal Green, E2 (See Tuesday 19)
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
A garden inspired by a Barbara Hepworth textile design, realised in cast limestone by architectural stonework company Haddonstone on the piazza outside the Tea House Theatre.
Hugo Bugg Garden Parties, Vauxhall, SE11
Hugo Bugg’s Chelsea Flower Show gold-medal winning waterscape garden has been relocated to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. It uses a sustainable drainage system to divert rainwater from overloaded public drains and channel it to irrigate plants instead. There’s a garden party here every Friday during the Chelsea Fringe Festival.
Bat Walk, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
Learn about these fascinating creatures of the night sky – you’ll have use of bat detectors to help you identify the species and listen to them chattering as they hunt for food.
SATURDAY 23 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
A witty commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
This garden installation is on the site of Bedlam – Bethlam Royal Hospital – the world’s oldest psychiatric hospital, and brings together medicine, history and horticulture in its exploration of therapeutic regimes for mental health.
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Download a free map and discover Edible Bankside Projects in the heart of London.
The Sunshine Trail – Bringing Sunflowers to Lee and Hither Green, Manor Park, SE15
Collect seeds and information from schools or local shops, follow the planting instructions and hey presto, you’ll have sunflower seedlings for planting days at Manor Park, Manor House Gardens and Lee Fair Shares in Leegate.
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
A garden inspired by a Barbara Hepworth textile design, realised in cast limestone by architectural stonework company Haddonstone on the piazza outside the Tea House Theatre.
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
An archipelago of small floating islands on the Lake at Queen Mary’s Gardens in Regent’s Park highlights the threat to wildlife and underwater vegetation in our urban rivers and canals.
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
This art installation in Turnham Green’s wildflower meadows is habitable, and aims to attract both solitary and bumble bees and over the duration of this year’s Chelsea Fringe Festival.
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Postcard collector Sophie Hill looks at a selection of images that take gardens as their inspiration.
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
The ultimate shed, decorated with a patchwork of flowers and leaves made from the latest collections of fabrics and wallpapers.
Summer Shrub and Tree ID, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
Improve your tree identification skills with a close inspection of leaves, fruit, flowers and bark.
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
An exhibition of postcards and text around the theme of gardens.
BEST of BOST – Dry Stone Wall Workshops, Crossbones Garden, SE1
A rare opportunity to learn the ancient landscape technique of dry stone walling in central London. You will learn how to choose, shape and lay stones, and help create a new public garden on the site of the Crossbones Graveyard.
A Celebration of the ROSE, The Flower Lounge, SW1
Neill Strain Floral Couture, based in London’s Belgravia, celebrates the rose with a display of old, new and rare varieties, some of which have never been seen before in this country.
Oasis Garden Trail, Stockwell, SW4
Follow nature trails through this secret paradise amid the concrete – there are trails to pique the interest of both adults and children, plus a workshop aimed at those of us gardening in small spaces.
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Photographic and sound installations by Corinne Silva, exploring Israel’s suburban gardens, parks and public places as a tool of aggressive state expansion into Palestinian territories.
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Enter the dark interior of a shipping container to discover the edgy sub-soil world of roots and bulbs, with an explosion of petals and colour to reward you at the end of your adventure.
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
The Athenaeum is marking the Chelsea Fringe with a special afternoon tea including orange blossom scones, rose-scented macaroons and strawberry tartlets with lavender jam.
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
Espacio’s third Fringe exhibition showing 18 artists’ diverse and exciting interpretations of the natural world.
The Making of a Modern Park, Wells Way, SE5
An illustrated talk on the story of the post-WW2 creation of Burgess Park, from bomb-site beginnings via a multi-million pound makeover in 2010 to its present-day layout.
The Chelsea Flower Show Massacre, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, SE11
Hear Mark Fiddes read from his Templar Pamphlet The Chelsea Flower Show Massacre, with readings from fellow poets Jane Weir and Chris James.
SUNDAY 24 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
BEST of BOST – dry-stone wall workshop, Crossbones Garden, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
(all as before)
Grow your own salads, Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
Fresh, crisp salads to see you through summer – the price of this workshop (£20) includes a resource pack, refreshments, and plants to take home and grow.
Grow your own herbal Teas, Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
Come along to Vauxhall City Farm’s workshop and find out all about infusing fresh leaves to make delicious herbal teas.
‘Taking a Turn’ public talks, Exchange Square, EC2A
Three specialists will present their research relating to hospital gardens and good mental health. These talks complement the installation on the site of Bedlam – Bethlam Royal Hospital – created for the Chelsea Fringe.
MONDAY 25 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
(all as before)
TUESDAY 26 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
(all as before)
Special Almshouse Tours, Geffrye Museum, E2
A restored almshouse has been taken back to its original state, to show the living conditions of the poor and elderly in London in former times. During the Chelsea Fringe, tours will include a visit to the gardens.
Give Me Shelter: half-term activities, Geffrye Museum, E2
Make garden homes, nest hats, Victorian paper dolls and more, at first-come, first-served workshops for two-to-16-year-olds.
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
The eco-bench, with its built-in vertical planters, shows how fruit, vegetables and herbs can be grown anywhere. A similar eco-bench has been built by young volunteers at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens in Israel, and there’ll be a live link up between London and Jerusalem on the day.
Pick up a Stitch at the Inner Temple Garden, EC4
A pop-up knitting club creates colourful woollen pom-poms, knitted cosies and other decorations for the trees and statues of Inner Temple Garden.
WEDNESDAY 27 MAY
Give Me Shelter: half-term activities, E2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, NW11
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
(all as before)
Grow your own edible garden! Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
It’s possible to grow tasty herbs, salads and edible flowers in even the smallest space such as a windowsill or balcony. Learn what you can grow, how to look after it and plant some seeds to take home.
Seeds for cooks at Borough Market, SE1
Borough Market’s gardener Veronica Perez Diaz shares tips on planting and tending edible crops in the city, and chef Celia Brooks gives a cookery demo using fresh produce from her allotment and the market.
Garden scents perfume-making workshop, W3
Experiment with the fragrances of a summer garden and create your own perfume to take home at Sarah McCartney’s micro-perfumery 4160Tuesdays.
THURSDAY 28 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, NW11
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
Give Me Shelter: half-term activities, E2
Grow your own edible garden! SE11
(all as before)
Foraging Walk with Forage London, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
John Rensten of Forage London leads a three-hour walk through the park pointing out edible leaves, berries and flowers, and offering tastings of different wild ingredients he has previously picked, cooked, fermented and pickled.
The Garden of You… and the Wishing Tree, Battersea Flower Station, SW11
An interactive piece of contemporary theatre set in a fantasy garden.
Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery: A green thought
Indulge in the language of flowers, with readings from poets from this country, Australia and New Zealand, and sensuous floral art by Anne Middleton.
FRIDAY 29 MAY
Give Me Shelter: half-term activities, E2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, NW11
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
(all as before)
Hugo Bugg Garden Parties, Vauxhall, SE11
Hugo Bugg’s Chelsea gold-medal winning waterscape garden has been relocated to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. It uses a sustainable drainage system to divert rainwater from the overloaded public sewers and channel it to irrigate plants instead. There’s a garden party here every Friday during the Chelsea Fringe Festival.
Folk and Flowers, Oxford House, E2
Join us for an evening of folk music to celebrate gardens, landscape and nature, with an ensemble of singers and musicians brought together specially for this event.
SATURDAY 30 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
(all as before)
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Wes Shaw and his team explore the themes of the Horniman’s indoor, interactive Plantastic exhibition with three bespoke planting schemes: Anatomy of a Flower, Sunseekers and Planting for Pollinators.
Felted birds and pods, South London Botanical Institute, SE24
Women of the Cloth demonstrate the wet felting technique, and then show how to make a sculpted shape such as a bird by working the fibres together with a barbed needle – known as needle felting,
Bee drawing workshop in Burgess Park, Chumleigh Gardens, SE5
Experiment with rapid sketching and learn about bee behaviour on plants so bees look natural in your drawings. No experience of drawing necessary.
Walk the Peckham Coal Line, SE15
Come and see South London’s answer to the New York High Line at this exciting stage of its development. The plan is to turn the high-level disused railway sidings of the old coal line into an elevated park. The walk starts at the Bussey Building in Copeland Park – pedestrian access off Rye Lane – and can be taken at your own pace.
Paper-pot maker workshop, Caravanserai, E16
Fashion a paper-pot maker out of recycled wood, which you can then use as a template for making small newspaper pots. These are great for seedlings, as you plant them directly into the ground – the newspaper biodegrades – and this minimises root disturbance.
International cultures and cuisines of The Calthorpe Project, Gray’s Inn Road, WC1
Food and drink from all over the world, great music and activities for all ages at this global garden party organised to celebrate the people who enjoy The Calthorpe Project, a green oasis near King’s Cross.
Horticultural Hackney Walk, Geffrye Museum, E2
Local historian Margaret Willes from the Hackney Society retraces the footsteps of gardeners and nurserymen to tell the story of Shoreditch and Hoxton from the Tudor period to the present.
SUNDAY 31 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
(all as before)
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
Pop Brixton is a new community campus for start-ups and small businesses, with a portable orchard in their courtyard, courtesy of landscape consultancy Uncommon.
Walk on the Wild Side at Gunnersbury, Gunnersbury Park, W3
Live music, performance, Morris workshops with The Belles of London City, the chance to create an installation for the nature trail with arts group A.P.P.L.E, and storytelling from the resident Green Man.
Crops in Pots, Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
Prepare to be amazed at the amount of food you can grow in a tiny space. There’ll be plants to take to grow at home, and a resource pack with info on planting and tending crops.
Foraging Walk, Gillespie Park and Ecology Centre, N5 1PH
Take a wild food walk through Gillespie Park Nature Reserve with John Rensten, the urban forager, spotting edible and medicinal species on the way.
Urban Wild Plant Safari: Bankside. Starts Tate Community Garden, SE1
A three-hour walk through the backstreets of Bankside with medical herbalist Marcos Patchett, who practices at Neals Yard and Middlesex University’s Park Clinic. Marcos will point out the often neglected urban herbs that hide in plain sight, including a plant to stop the flow of a bleeding cut, a hay fever remedy, and a herb that even lowers blood pressure.
MONDAY 1 JUNE
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before)
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
We’ve all killed a houseplant at some point, either through neglect or too much love. The Idler Academy invites everyone to bring along their dead houseplant offerings and put them towards a temporary garden installation. All they ask is that you write a short epitaph to the plant-that-is-no-more. There will be a wake, with gin.
TUESDAY 2 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Pick up a Stitch at the Inner Temple Garden, EC4
(all as before)
Bankside Urban Forest – greening the grey in the heart of London, SE1
A week of activities begins with a lunchtime gardening session for people who work in the area, and anyone else who’d like to get involved, on the pavements of Hopton Street.
Burgess Park gets a Fringe with London Wildlife Trust, SE5
Discover who’s flying overhead and lurking in the lakes and ponds on this guided evening walk through the wildlife areas of Burgess Park.
WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
Special Almshouse Tours, Geffrye Museum, E2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before)
Bankside Urban Forest – seed bomb masterclass, The Bridge Café, SE1
Seed bombs are fun to make, and when dispersed, enable seeds to be sown in hard-to-reach places, bringing a bit of floral loveliness to neglected spaces.
Oasis outdoor cinema night, Oasis Nature Garden, SW4
Film to be confirmed.
My Favourite Year, Garden Museum, SE1
Three writers choose a year when they think British gardens were at their best. Tania Compton argues for the here and now; George Plumptre conjures up 1927, the inaugural year of the Yellow Book; and Tim Richardson takes us back to 1740, and the Arcadian landscape style of William Kent.
THURSDAY 4 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
The garden of you… and the wishing tree, Battersea Flower Station, SW11
(all as before)
FRIDAY 5 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Hugo Bugg Garden Parties, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, SE11
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before)
The most dangerous garden for cats and dogs, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
A garden containing all manner of flowers and shrubs that are poisonous to pets, to raise awareness that even everyday plants can be toxic.
‘Taking a Turn’ closing party, Exchange Square, EC2
Bring a plastic bag or two to take away plants after 8.30pm.
Vauxhall Gardens Remember’d, London House, WC1
Harpsichord recital by Pawel Siwczak of music by the most esteemed composers played at Vauxhall Gardens in the 18th century, among them Handel, JC Bach and Joseph Haydn.
SATURDAY 6 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Special Almshouse Tours, Geffrye Museum, E2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Oasis Garden Trail, Stockwell, SW4
The most dangerous garden for cats and dogs, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before)
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ Shadow Garden, Spital Square, E1
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ shaded courtyard garden is open to visitors and Julie Charlesworth, their gardener, will be on hand to answer questions about shade-loving plants, some of which will be for sale.
Fun on the Roof! Family Day at the Doddington and Rollo Community Roof Garden, Battersea, SW11
Games, strawberry picking, story telling, face painting, food, music and art, all on a roof.
Clapton Park – the poppy estate, E5
Join the volunteers of this community for a tour of the estate and get to see how they pull together to make their green space a catalyst for change.
Summer Fair in Tower Hamlets, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
An annual celebration of woodland crafts including basket weaving, with a tea and cake stall run by the East End Women’s Institute.
Music to Grow Your Garden By, Geffrye Museum, E2
A mix of madrigals, part-songs and contemporary tunes to raise the spirits of all plants and gladden the heart of gardeners.
Wildflower Bee Hotel – Bee the Change, Turnham Green, W4
A fun-filled series of bee-related activities for the whole family, centred around the Wildflower Bee Hotel.
Culpeper’s Herbal Remedy, Geffrye Museum, E2
Join Margaret Willes for a fascinating talk about herbalist, botanist and radical apothecary Nicholas Culpeper, then create your own remedies and cosmetics.
Hidden Garden Art Show, Hampstead, NW3
An exhibition of outdoor artworks at the Maureen Michaelson Gallery, in a lushly planted private garden not normally open to the public.
SUNDAY 7 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
The most dangerous garden for cats and dogs, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Pick up a Stitch at the Inner Temple Garden, EC4
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Hidden Garden Art Show, Hampstead, NW3
(all as before)
Canal Club Gardening Party, Belmont Wharf, E2
The boat dwellers who created this community garden will be firing up the outdoor clay oven and inviting everyone to make their own pizza and admire the art works on show.
Cook with the family, Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
Learn how to make your own fresh pasta and pesto sauce, followed by a communal meal to tuck into the results.
Gardens Family Festival, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Listen to live performances by the London Vegetable Orchestra, tour the Horniman sundials and learn how to make a seed bomb or your own carrot recorder.
Olden Community Garden Party, Drayton Park, Highbury, N5
Music – from French jazz, to folk and Argentinian waltzes – a barbecue, tea and cake, and Pimms, in this gem of a garden within a free-kick’s distance of the Emirates Stadium.
Many events explore the landscape we live in. Others are a celebration, pure and simple, of the beauty of plants, community and the season. We don’t tell event organisers what to do, they create their own programmes, so the Fringe is a true reflection of what gardeners the world over care about, are moved by and want to change.
A world without pollinators would be devastating for food production and an urgent call to protect our bees runs as a thread through this year’s festival. HoneyComb Meadow and Pick-up Pollinators in Bristol provide new habitats and a nectar corridor through the city. Fringe events in Slovenia showcase Urban Beekeeping, and remind us that Bees Visit the Museum Too – in this case the Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova, which has planted buckwheat its garden to attract pollinators and raise awareness of their decline. In West London, meanwhile, a Wildflower Bee Hotel aims to attract both solitary and bumble bees, and there’s a definite buzz in the air in East Sussex at Oh Beehive!
Other events look at intensive, monocultural agriculture versus ecological farming. It’s All about the Soil in London bigs up one of our most precious resources. In Italy, events such as Conversations at the Farmhouse examine the relationship between the city and its surrounding countryside, and The Old Villa outside the City looks at the way the farm estates of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries were models of sustainability.
Things take a philosophical turn at The Supper Debate, when ThinkinGardens asks whether we should want more than gardening from gardens, and writers answer the question How do we cultivate our Garden? in 100 words or less. Travelling through a garden becomes an existential journey in Boundary/33 in Florence, and The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2 and The Garden of You… and the Wishing Tree, both in South London.
On a more flowery note, the Floral Flotilla and Floral Couture and Cocktails at Henley-on-Thames sum up all that is beautiful about early summer in England. There’s full-on flower power at A Celebration of the Rose at London’s Flower Lounge, Blooming Gardens in Kent, and a behind-the-scenes tour of New Covent Garden Market. Flowers take central stage in dozens of Fringe events, from a perfume-making workshop in West London to Flower-up on Japan’s Oro Island.
Growing food in small urban spaces gets a lot of attention this year. Window boxes, balconies, pots – gardeners are making use of all of these to grow food, from salad leaves to a Portable Orchard. Japanese architects are experienced at extracting maximum value from small spaces, and gardeners are too, as Tiny Vegetable Garden in Bags in Nagakute demonstrates. Check out Four Ps in our Garden in Aberdeen, where they’re doing something similar using a Bag for Life. There are many opportunities to forage for wild food in the heart of our cities, and a new appreciation of the wealth of urban herbs that hide in plain sight.
Gardening is clearly a catalyst for change, with radical street planting schemes by school children in Milan, and community gardens everywhere, including TKY in Nagoya, Bristol and Clapton Park – the poppy estate in London. All of them garden experiences that defy the norm.
You don’t have to be in London to take part – the Fringe reaches all corners of the world. During the end of May and the start of June, Chelsea Fringe events will be taking place all over the country and in other parts of Europe, with a Fringe in Japan and Australia this year too. You can use the pull-down menu under ‘Locations’ to find the events near you. For starters, here’s a round-up of what’s going on in London this week.
The Wellington Tower, Oldfield Partners, SW1
A witty commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
This garden installation is on the site of Bedlam – Bethlam Royal Hospital – the world’s oldest psychiatric hospital, and brings together medicine, history and horticulture in its exploration of therapeutic regimes for mental health.
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Download a free map and discover Edible Bankside Projects in the heart of London.
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
This art installation in Turnham Green’s wildflower meadows is habitable, and aims to attract both solitary and bumble bees and over the duration of this year’s Chelsea Fringe Festival.
Behind the Wall, Vauxhall, SW8
Your chance to take a tour of the UK’s largest Wholesale Flower Market at New Covent Garden and see what goes on behind the scenes.
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
An archipelago of small floating islands on the Lake at Queen Mary’s Gardens in Regent’s Park highlights the threat to wildlife and underwater vegetation in our urban rivers and canals.
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
The ultimate shed, decorated with a patchwork of flowers and leaves made from the latest collections of fabrics and wallpapers.
Practical Pharmacy: workshop on preparing medicinal herbs, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
Rasheeqa Ahmad leads a session foraging for spring plants and showing how to turn these into oils, balms and medicinal preparations.
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Postcard collector Sophie Hill looks at a selection of images that take gardens as their inspiration.
BEST of BOST – Minibeast Motels, Diversity Garden, SE1
Discover which bugs are helpful in the garden and how to identify them, and learn how to make a bug hotel which you can take home at the end of the session.
Stories of Stockwell, Oasis Nature Garden, SW4
Local residents began transforming a patch of derelict land in 1973 into an adventure playground, a go-kart track and a secret paradise of pond and veg patch, woods and meadow. Join them for a full programme of activities throughout the festival, including bird box and seed-bomb making workshops, live storytelling sessions and cinema nights.
Edible Askew Road, Starch Green, W12
Hammersmith Community Gardens Association are teaming up with Askew Business Network to present a treasure trail, plant sale and fancy dress competition inspired by The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
Happy Seeds Festival – Tomato Planting Extravaganza, St James’s, SE14
A festival of live music, food, drink, arts and crafts, and a chance to learn about growing tomatoes, with 100 varieties available for sale and planting.
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Photographic and sound installations by Corinne Silva, exploring Israel’s suburban gardens, parks and public places as a tool of aggressive state expansion into Palestinian territories.
Bees, Butterflies and Blooms, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
A weekend of activities – the first of four – celebrating herbs, flowers and gardening. There’ll be a herbal health bar, a parade of summer headdresses and gardening in miniature over the course of the festival.
Hoopy and Happy with Hahahopscotch, Fenton House, NW3
A chance for children to travel back in time and play the games their great-grandparents might have enjoyed, with hoops, sack races and tug-of-war on offer.
Horticultural Clapton Walk, Geffrye Museum, E2
Explore Clapton, beginning at the beautifully landscape Springfield Park and ending at the 21st-century garden attraction recently opened Sutton House.
Discover the Poetry Path at King Henry’s Walk Garden, Islington, N1
King Henry’s Walk Garden is three times winner of best community garden in London in Bloom, and its abundance of flowers, fruit, vegetables, insects and trees has inspired some memorable poetry.
Dig, Eat and Dye, Wilton Estate Community Garden, E8
Fun activities including natural dyeing and growing a ball of string, as well as plants to buy, cake to eat and tea to drink.
Are you Coming to Strawberry Fayre? Hackney, E9
Visit the award-winning garden at Lauriston School, enjoy a strawberry cream tea or a glass of Pimms, say hello to the chickens and make a mini scarecrow to take home.
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
The Athenaeum is marking the Chelsea Fringe with a special afternoon tea including orange blossom scones, rose-scented macaroons and strawberry tartlets with lavender jam.
Wildlife Gardening Workshop, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
Workshop led by Froglife on how to make urban parks and gardens attractive to amphibians and reptiles, and in the process counteract the capital’s increasing loss of wildlife habitats.
Drawing Squares of Georgian London, starts Bedford Square, WC1
Historian Tom Gretton leads a tour of three Central London gardens, talking about the way they evolved from a communal space into a place of private recreation, followed by a 30-minute drawing class by artist Gilly Hatch.
Exploring the Arcadian Thames: a walk from Twickenham to Richmond, starts York House, TW1
Garden historian Chris Sumner and Sally Williams, Keeper of the Inventory, London Parks and Gardens Trust, lead a two-and-a-half-hour riverside walk finishing with the best view in London at Terrace Gardens.
Cycle – Flower – Power, Bethnal Green, E2
A group of cyclists are pedalling from Manchester to Bethnal Green to promote urban wild planting and sustainability. Join them at The Pillbox Kitchen for food, drink and chat.
Chelsea Fringe Midnight Apothecary, Brunel Museum Roof Garden, SE16
Chill out with cocktails around a giant fire pit in a secret rooftop garden in Rotherhithe, enjoy a great Greek grill from I Should Be Souvlaki, and listen to birds, insects and other musical talent. Booking essential.
SUNDAY MAY 17
The Wellington Tower, SW1
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bees, Butterflies and Blooms, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Discover the Poetry Path at King Henry’s Walk Garden, Islington, N1
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Drawing Squares of Georgian London, Bedford Square, WC1
(all as before)
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
An exhibition of postcards and text around the theme of gardens.
Gardeners’ Question Time, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, SE11
Radio Four’s Gardeners’ Question Time comes to The Tea House Theatre on Vauxhall Walk. Early booking advised.
Wild Food Guided Walk, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
Join Ken, the cemetery park manager, for a guided tour of the park and discover the beauty of seasonal wild produce, collecting fresh leaves to make herbal infusions, and sampling berries and roots along the way.
Grow Wild and Phytology at Pill Box Kitchen, Bethnal Green, E2
Sample delicious food, beer, cider and honey icecream while finding out about pollinating insects and herbal uses of our favourite common wild flowers.
Fête, Felting and Film, The South Norwood Botanical Institute, SE24
The institute opens its doors to show off its herbarium, library and beautiful new botanically themed wallpaper by local artist Augusta Akerman. Women of the Cloth will be running a needle felting workshop. You can also sample botanical icecreams from the Garden Café and watch The Creeping Garden, a documentary based on slime moulds – possibly not both at the same time.
Seed bomb workshop, St David Coffee Shop, SE23
Join us for a seed bomb making workshop, quench your thirst with a botanical beverage and enjoy a flowery pizza from Van Dough.
Hahahopscotch Gets Giggly and Greenfingered, Brunel Museum Garden, SE16
A chance for children to plant seeds, get a little muddy and take home their very own project with Brunel-themed gardening fun at the museum.
‘Do we need thinkinGardens?’ The Supper Debate, Coach and Horses, W1
ThinkinGardens is an online magazine ‘for people who want more than gardening from gardens’. Its mission is to explore gardens as they relate to the other arts, philosophy, and society. On the occasion of its tenth birthday, editor Anne Wareham, asks ‘Do we still need ThinkinGardens? And if we do, what for?’
‘Taking a Turn’ public talks, Exchange Square, EC2A
Three specialists will present their research relating to hospital gardens and good mental health. These talks complement the installation on the site of Bedlam – Bethlam Royal Hospital – created for the Chelsea Fringe.
MONDAY 18 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before, Saturday 16)
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2 (as Sunday 17)
A Celebration of the ROSE, The Flower Lounge, SW1
Neill Strain Floral Couture, based in London’s Belgravia, celebrates the rose with a display of old, new and rare varieties, some of which have never been seen before in this country.
Social Therapeutic Horticulture in Practice, Chelsea Gate Battersea Park, SW11
See the work of Thrive gardeners at the three gardens they care for in Battersea Park. There will be a talk on the latest developments in social and horticultural therapy at 12.30 on weekdays of the event.
Dartmouth Park Talks – It’s all about the soil, The Star, N19
Soil is one of our most precious resources. It allows our plants and food systems to thrive. While our food security may be under threat from intensive, monocultural farming systems, we can take matters into our own hands and tend the soil in our own back yards. Join us for this debate on how to improve and protect it.
TUESDAY MAY 19
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before, Saturday 16)
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2 (as Sunday 17)
A Celebration of the ROSE, The Flower Lounge, SW1
Social Therapeutic Horticulture in Practice, Battersea Park, SW11
(all as before, Monday 18)
Tales for tea – Bringing Books to Life, The Wells Way Pop Up, Burgess Park, SE5
Bibliotherapist Sharon Dunscombe’s Tales for Tea draw on the ancient Greek practice of healing through reading, and she’s made a special selection of stories and poetry with floral themes for her five sessions for the Fringe.
Espacio Gallery, ‘Germination’, Bethnal Green, E2
Espacio’s third Fringe exhibition showing 18 artists’ diverse and exciting interpretations of the natural world.
Pick up a Stitch at the Inner Temple Garden, EC4
A pop-up knitting club creates colourful woollen pom-poms, knitted cosies and other decorations for the trees and statues of Inner Temple Garden.
Composting with Sandworms: The horticulture of Dune, Seven Dials Club, WC2
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Frank Herbert’s epic science fiction novel Dune with an evening of exobiology – the branch of science that deals with the possibility, and likely nature, of life on other planets and in space.
WEDNESDAY MAY 20
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before, Saturday 16)
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
(as before, Sunday 17)
A Celebration of the ROSE, The Flower Lounge, SW1
Social Therapeutic Horticulture in Practice, Battersea Park, SW11
(all as before, Monday 18)
Tales for tea – Bringing Books to Life, Burgess Park, SE5
Espacio Gallery ‘Germination’. Bethnal Green, E2
(both as before, Tuesday 19)
Special Almshouses Tours, Geffrye Museum, E2
A restored almshouse has been taken back to its original state, to show the living conditions of the poor and elderly in London in former times. During the Chelsea Fringe, tours will include a visit to the gardens.
Oasis outdoor cinema night, Stockwell, SW4
Film to be confirmed.
THURSDAY 21 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before, Saturday 16)
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
(as before, Sunday 17)
A Celebration of the ROSE, The Flower Lounge, SW1
Social Therapeutic Horticulture in Practice, Battersea Park, SW11
(all as before, Monday 18)
Espacio Gallery ‘Germination’, Bethnal Green, E2
(as before, Tuesday 19)
The Garden of You… and the Wishing Tree, Battersea Flower Station, SW11
A piece of contemporary interactive theatre set in a fantasy garden.
Climbing the Walls – How to Grow Your Own Living Wall, Piccadilly, W1
Daniel Bell, the man behind the 22m-high living wall at The Athenaeum Hotel, gives the inside track on vertical gardening.
FRIDAY 22 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before, Saturday 16)
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
(as before, Sunday 17)
A Celebration of the ROSE, The Flower Lounge, SW1
Social Therapeutic Horticulture in Practice, Battersea Park, SW11
(all as before, Monday 18)
Espacio Gallery ‘Germination’. Bethnal Green, E2
(as before, Tuesday 19)
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
A garden inspired by a Barbara Hepworth textile design, realised in cast limestone by architectural stonework company Haddonstone on the piazza outside the Tea House Theatre.
Hugo Bugg Garden Parties, Vauxhall, SE11
Hugo Bugg’s Chelsea Flower Show gold-medal winning waterscape garden has been relocated to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. It uses a sustainable drainage system to divert rainwater from overloaded public drains and channel it to irrigate plants instead. There’s a garden party here every Friday during the Chelsea Fringe Festival.
Bat Walk, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
Learn about these fascinating creatures of the night sky – you’ll have use of bat detectors to help you identify the species and listen to them chattering as they hunt for food.
The alternative gardening festival, the Chelsea Fringe has set the date for 2015 and is now open for submissions. The festival runs from May 16 to June 7: that’s 22 days, four weekends and one Bank Holiday Monday to fill with exciting gardening projects and events.
The 2014 Fringe was a huge success, with more than 250 community gardening activities, garden/art installations and happenings, walks, talks, food events, open days, exhibitions and performances across London and beyond. There was excellent coverage in the national media – newspapers, magazines, radio and television. We also launched a broadcast partnership with BBC Radio London (the Robert Elms show), which is to continue in
2015.
We are inviting individuals and organisations, first-timers and Fringe veterans, to register their interest and to discuss what they might like to do for the Chelsea Fringe 2015. Please get in touch with us via email (info@chelseafringe.com) if you would like to be involved.
If you’d like to join our friendly team of volunteer project co-ordinators, please contact alex@chelseafringe.com
Or why not become a Friend of the Fringe? You’ll enjoy advance information on events, insider trails and more – plus the satisfaction of supporting a grass-roots festival that’s bringing plants and gardening to unexpected corners of towns and cities around the globe.
The Chelsea Fringe is volunteer-run and unfunded, operating as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company [CIC].
Be the first to register your project for the Chelsea Fringe 2015. If you’ve already been assigned a Project Co-ordinator, ask them for the password that allows you to begin registration (see Get Involved). If you have an idea for a project but haven’t yet contacted the Chelsea Fringe please email us at info@chelseafringe.com to discuss your idea.
For details of our registration rates, click on Get Involved. NB There’s an Early Bird discount of 10% for all registrations made by 31 March.
SATURDAY 23 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
A witty commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
This garden installation on the site of Bedlam – Bethlam Royal Hospital – the world’s oldest psychiatric hospital, brings together medicine, history and horticulture in its exploration of therapeutic regimes for mental health.
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Download a free map and discover Edible Bankside Projects in the heart of London.
The Sunshine Trail – Bringing Sunflowers to Lee and Hither Green, Manor Park, SE15
Collect seeds and information from schools or local shops, follow the planting instructions and hey presto, you’ll have sunflower seedlings for planting days at Manor Park, Manor House Gardens and Lee Fair Shares in Leegate.
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
A garden inspired by a Barbara Hepworth textile design, realised in cast limestone by architectural stonework company Haddonstone on the piazza outside the Tea House Theatre.
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
An archipelago of small floating islands on the Lake at Queen Mary’s Gardens in Regent’s Park highlights the threat to wildlife and underwater vegetation in our urban rivers and canals.
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
This art installation in Turnham Green’s wildflower meadows is habitable, and aims to attract both solitary and bumble bees and over the duration of this year’s Chelsea Fringe Festival.
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Postcard collector Sophie Hill looks at a selection of images that take gardens as their inspiration.
Chelsea floral cake, Peter Jones, Sloane Square, SW1
Department store Peter Jones will be serving a Welsh honey and English lavender cake with a rose water cream in its brasserie and restaurant to celebrate the Fringe.
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
The ultimate shed, decorated with a patchwork of flowers and leaves made from the latest collections of fabrics and wallpapers. 9.30am–5.30pm
Peas, Peace, Poetry and Plots, W14
Visit a community garden for a day of poetry, printing and creativity with multimedia artist Linda Landers and writer Sarah Salway. 9.30am–5.30pm
#MyE20 3D Herbal Graphics Planting Day, East Village, E20
Join The Edible Bus Stop team to help plant up a display of herbs at the East Village, the London 2012 Olympics Athletes’ Village. 11am-3pm
Float a Lotus, start at the Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park, W2
Pools will be placed in selected sites across the capital. Enjoy a meditative sojourn while discussing the finer points of Gardens of Consciousness. 1pm
Queen’s Park Wildlife Area Tea Party, Queens Park Gardens and Harrington Court Allotments, W10
Learn what’s going on in the wildlife area and visit the allotments. 1-4pm
Summer Shrub and Tree ID, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
Improve your tree identification skills with a close inspection of leaves, fruit, flowers and bark. 10am–1pm
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
An exhibition of postcards and text around the theme of gardens. 10am–9pm
Sonya Patel Ellis/The Story Within, Newham, E7
An exhibition of artworks includes a Hebarium Wall and a tribute to the Upper Cut Club where Jimi Hendrix penned the lyrics to Purple Haze, plus a musical map based on a field study of Michaelmas daisies in Forest Gate. 9.30am–5.30pm
BEST of BOST – Dry Stone Wall Workshops, Crossbones Garden, SE1
A rare opportunity to learn the ancient landscape technique of dry stone walling in central London. You will learn how to choose, shape and lay stones, and help create a new public garden on the site of the Crossbones Graveyard. 10am–4pm
Social Therapeutic Horticulture in Practice, Chelsea Gate Battersea Park, SW11
See the work of Thrive gardeners at the three gardens they care for in Battersea Park, and hear about the latest developments in social and horticultural therapy at 12.30 on weekdays of the event. 10am–4pm
A Celebration of the ROSE, The Flower Lounge, SW1
Neill Strain Floral Couture, based in London’s Belgravia, celebrates the rose with a display of old, new and rare varieties, some of which have never been seen before in this country. 10am–7pm
Oasis Garden Trail, Stockwell, SW4
Follow nature trails through this secret paradise amid the concrete – there are trails to pique the interest of both adults and children, plus a workshop on gardening in small spaces. 10.30am–4pm
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Photographic and sound installations by Corinne Silva, exploring Israel’s suburban gardens, parks and public places as a tool of aggressive state expansion into Palestinian territories. 11am–6pm
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
A weekend of activities – the first of four – celebrating herbs, flowers and gardening. There’ll be a herbal health bar, summer head-dresses and miniature gardening over the course of the festival. 11am–7pm
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
The Athenaeum is marking the Chelsea Fringe with a special afternoon tea including orange blossom scones, rose-scented macaroons and strawberry tartlets with lavender jam. 12.30pm–5.30pm
Chelsea Fringe Midnight Apothecary, Brunel Museum Roof Garden, SE16
Chill out with cocktails around a giant fire pit in a secret rooftop garden in Rotherhithe, enjoy a great Greek Grill from I Should Be Souvlaki, and listen to birds, insects and other musical talent. Booking essential. 5.30pm–10.30pm
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
Espacio’s third Fringe exhibition showing 18 artists’ diverse and exciting interpretations of the natural world. 1pm–7pm
The Making of a Modern Park, Wells Way, SE5
An illustrated talk on the story of the post-WW2 creation of Burgess Park, from bomb-site beginnings via a multi-million pound makeover in 2010 to its present-day layout. 2–4pm
The Chelsea Flower Show Massacre, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, SE11
Hear Mark Fiddes read from his Templar Pamphlet The Chelsea Flower Show Massacre, with readings from fellow poets Jane Weir and Chris James. 7.30–9pm
SUNDAY 24 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
BEST of BOST – dry-stone wall workshop, Crossbones Garden, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Chelsea Floral Cake, Peter Jones, SW1
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Sonya Patel Ellis, Newham, E7
Social Therapeutic, Battersea Park, SE11
A Festival of Bees, Butterflies and Blooms, Dalston Eastern Curve, E8
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
(all as before)
Grow your own salads, Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
Fresh, crisp salads to see you through summer – the price of this workshop (£20) includes a resource pack, refreshments, and plants to take home and grow. 10am–1pm
Grow your own herbal Teas, Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
Come along to Vauxhall City Farm’s workshop and find out all about infusing fresh leaves to make delicious herbal teas. 2–5pm
‘Taking a Turn’ public talks, Exchange Square, EC2A
Three specialists will present their research relating to hospital gardens and good mental health. These talks complement the installation on the site of Bedlam – Bethlam Royal Hospital – created for the Chelsea Fringe. 3–5pm
MONDAY 25 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Chelsea Floral Cake, Peter Jones, SW1
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
(all as before)
TUESDAY 26 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Chelsea Floral Cake, Peter Jones, SW1
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
(all as before)
Special Almshouse Tours, Geffrye Museum, E2
A restored almshouse has been taken back to its original state, to show the living conditions of the poor and elderly in London in former times. During the Chelsea Fringe, tours will include a visit to the gardens. 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm
Give Me Shelter: half-term activities, Geffrye Museum, E2
Make garden homes, nest hats, Victorian paper dolls and more, at first-come, first-served workshops for two-to-16-year-olds. 10.30am–12.30pm & 2–4pm
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
The eco-bench, with its built-in vertical planters, shows how fruit, vegetables and herbs can be grown anywhere. A similar eco-bench has been built by young volunteers at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens in Israel, and there’ll be a live link up between London and Jerusalem on the day. 10am–1pm
Painting Pebbles, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
A pebble painting workshop for children to help identify the vegetables growing in the garden this summer. 2pm, 3pm & 4pm
Pick up a Stitch at the Inner Temple Garden, EC4
A pop-up knitting club creates colourful woollen pom-poms, knitted cosies and other decorations for the trees and statues of Inner Temple Garden. 5–8.30pm
WEDNESDAY 27 MAY
Give Me Shelter: half-term activities, E2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, NW11
Chelsea Floral Cake, Peter Jones, SW1
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
(all as before)
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
Visit the bonsai trees on loan from Bonsai Kai, Europe’s oldest bonsai club.
11am-5pm
Grow your own edible garden! Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
It’s possible to grow tasty herbs, salads and edible flowers in even the smallest space such as a windowsill or balcony. Learn what you can grow, how to look after it and plant some seeds to take home. 11am–3pm
Seeds for cooks at Borough Market, SE1
Borough Market’s gardener Veronica Perez Diaz shares tips on planting and tending edible crops in the city, and chef Celia Brooks gives a cookery demo using fresh produce from her allotment and the market. 12.30–2pm
Friendly Garden Bug Puppets, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Children can make giant paper bee, butterfly and ladybird puppets to take home. 2pm, 3pm & 4pm
Garden scents perfume-making workshop, W3
Experiment with the fragrances of a summer garden and create your own perfume to take home at Sarah McCartney’s micro-perfumery 4160Tuesdays. 6.45–8.45pm
THURSDAY 28 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, NW11
Chelsea Floral Cake, Peter Jones, SW1
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Sonya Patel Ellis, Newham, E7
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
Give Me Shelter: half-term activities, E2
Grow your own edible garden! SE11
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
(all as before)
Foraging Walk with Forage London, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
John Rensten of Forage London leads a three-hour walk through the park pointing out edible leaves, berries and flowers, and offering tastings of wild ingredients he’s previously picked, cooked, fermented and pickled. 9.30am–1pm
Perfect Pizzas, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
The Garden’s pizza maker, David Latto, will help children make and bake their own pizza’s in the wood-fired oven.
The Garden of You… and the Wishing Tree, Battersea Flower Station, SW11
An interactive piece of contemporary theatre set in a fantasy garden. 6–7pm
Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery: A green thought
Indulge in the language of flowers, with readings from poets from this country, Australia and New Zealand, and sensuous floral art by Anne Middleton. 6.30–8.30pm
FRIDAY 29 MAY
Give Me Shelter: half-term activities, E2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, NW11
Chelsea Floral Cake, Peter Jones, SW1
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Sonya Patel Ellis, Newham, E7
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
(all as before)
Hugo Bugg Garden Parties, Vauxhall, SE11
Hugo Bugg’s Chelsea gold-medal winning waterscape garden has been relocated to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. It uses a sustainable drainage system to divert rainwater from the overloaded public sewers and channel it to irrigate plants instead. There’s a garden party here every Friday during the Chelsea Fringe Festival. 12noon–3pm
What Are Flowers for? Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Children can learn the art of mono-printing with artist Emily Tracy.
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
Pop Brixton is a new community campus for start-ups and small businesses, with a portable orchard in their courtyard, courtesy of landscape consultancy Uncommon. 2–11pm
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Enter the dark interior of a shipping container to discover the edgy sub-soil world of roots and bulbs, with an explosion of petals and colour to reward you at the end of your adventure. 5–8.30pm
Green East, Oxford House, E2
Find out about environmental projects taking place in East London, and join in the discussion on sustainable growing methods. 5–7pm
Folk and Flowers, Oxford House, E2
Join us for an evening of folk music to celebrate gardens, landscape and nature, with an ensemble of singers and musicians brought together specially for this event. 7.30–10pm
SATURDAY 30 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
A witty commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Wes Shaw and his team explore the themes of the Horniman’s indoor, interactive Plantastic exhibition with three bespoke planting schemes: Anatomy of a Flower, Sunseekers and Planting for Pollinators.
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
This garden installation on the site of Bedlam – Bethlam Royal Hospital – the world’s oldest psychiatric hospital, brings together medicine, history and horticulture in its exploration of therapeutic regimes for mental health.
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Download a free map and discover Edible Bankside Projects in the heart of London.
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
A garden inspired by a Barbara Hepworth textile design, realised in cast limestone by architectural stonework company Haddonstone on the piazza outside the Tea House Theatre.
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
An archipelago of small floating islands on the Lake at Queen Mary’s Gardens in Regent’s Park highlights the threat to wildlife and underwater vegetation in our urban rivers and canals.
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
This art installation in Turnham Green’s wildflower meadows is habitable, and aims to attract both solitary and bumble bees and over the duration of this year’s Chelsea Fringe Festival.
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Postcard collector Sophie Hill looks at a selection of images that take gardens as their inspiration.
Chelsea floral cake, Peter Jones, Sloane Square, SW1
Department store Peter Jones will be serving a Welsh honey and English lavender cake with a rose water cream in its brasserie and restaurant to celebrate the Fringe.
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
The ultimate shed, decorated with a patchwork of flowers and leaves made from the latest collections of fabrics and wallpapers. 9.30am–5pm
Sonya Patel Ellis/The Story Within, The Gate Library, Forest Gate, E7
An exhibition of artworks includes a Hebarium Wall and a tribute to the Upper Cut Club where Jimi Hendrix penned the lyrics to Purple Haze, plus a musical map based on a field study of Michaelmas daisies in Forest Gate. 9.30am–5.30pm
Felted birds and pods, South London Botanical Institute, SE24
Women of the Cloth demonstrate the wet felting technique, and then show how to make a sculpted shape such as a bird by working the fibres together with a barbed needle – known as needle felting. 10am–2pm
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
An exhibition of postcards and text around the theme of gardens. 10am–9pm
Bee drawing workshop in Burgess Park, Chumleigh Gardens, SE5
Experiment with rapid sketching and learn about bee behaviour on plants so bees look natural in your drawings. No experience of drawing necessary. 10am–4pm
Nine Elms Horticultural Spa and Apothecary Experience, Riverside Gardens, SW8
Part greenhouse, part futuristic tea ceremony courtesy of Loop.pH, by the tower at One St George’s Wharf. 10am–8pm
Walk the Peckham Coal Line, SE15
Come and see South London’s answer to the New York High Line at this exciting stage of its development. The plan is to turn the high-level disused railway sidings of the old coal line into an elevated park. The walk starts at the Bussey Building in Copeland Park – pedestrian access off Rye Lane – and can be taken at your own pace. 11am–5pm
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Photographic and sound installations by Corinne Silva, exploring Israel’s suburban gardens, parks and public places as a tool of aggressive state expansion into Palestinian territories. 11am–6pm
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
Visit the bonsai trees on loan from Bonsai Kai, Europe’s oldest bonsai club.
11am-5pm
Paper-pot maker workshop, Caravanserai, E16
Fashion a paper-pot maker out of recycled wood, which you can then use as a template for making small newspaper pots. These are great for seedlings, as you plant them directly into the ground – the newspaper biodegrades – and this minimises root disturbance. 11am–1pm
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Enjoy herbs, flowers and gardening in the heart of the East London. 11am–7pm
Copeland Park – a tarmac playground, Peckham, SE15
For one day only, Copeland Yard becomes a car-free tarmac playground, hosting free activities, classes, a market and a pedal powered cinema screening of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. 11am–11pm
International cultures and cuisines of The Calthorpe Project, Gray’s Inn Road, WC1
Food and drink from all over the world, great music and activities for all ages at this global garden party at The Calthorpe Project, a green oasis near King’s Cross. 12noon–6pm
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
The Athenaeum is marking the Chelsea Fringe with a special afternoon tea including orange blossom scones, rose-scented macaroons and strawberry tartlets with lavender jam. 12.30–5.30pm
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
Espacio’s third Fringe exhibition showing 18 artists’ diverse and exciting interpretations of the natural world. 1–7pm
Float a Lotus, start at the lawn of the Tate Modern, SE1
Pools will be placed in selected sites across the capital. Enjoy a meditative sojourn while discussing the finer points of Gardens of Consciousness. 1pm
Horticultural Hackney Walk, Geffrye Museum, E2
Local historian Margaret Willes from the Hackney Society retraces the footsteps of gardeners and nurserymen to tell the story of Shoreditch and Hoxton from the Tudor period to the present. 2–3.45pm
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Enter the dark interior of a shipping container to discover the edgy sub-soil world of roots and bulbs, with an explosion of petals and colour to reward you at the end of your adventure. 2–8pm
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
Pop Brixton is a new community campus for start-ups and small businesses, with a portable orchard in their courtyard, courtesy of landscape consultancy Uncommon. 2–11pm
Chelsea Fringe Midnight Apothecary, Brunel Museum Roof Garden, SE16
Chill out with cocktails around a giant fire pit in a secret rooftop garden in Rotherhithe, enjoy a great Greek Grill from I Should Be Souvlaki, and listen to birds, insects and other musical talent. Booking essential. 5.30pm–10.30pm
SUNDAY 31 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Plantastic, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Nine Elms Horticultural Spa and Apothecary Experience, Riverside Park, SW8
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
Garden of Disorientation, Pop Brixton, SW9
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
(all as before)
Walking Tour: 10 years of guerilla gardening
It’s been a decade since Richard Reynolds started tending neglected patches of land round the Elephant and Castle. While some now bloom as local landmarks, others have been flattened by redevelopment. He takes us on a tour of roadside gardens and pocket parks, telling tales of opportunities and obstacles, collaborations and conflicts. 11am–12.30pm
Walk on the Wild Side at Gunnersbury, Gunnersbury Park, W3
Live music, performance, Morris workshops with The Belles of London City, the chance to create an installation for the nature trail with arts group A.P.P.L.E, and storytelling from the resident Green Man. 11.30am–4.30pm
Crops in Pots, Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
Prepare to be amazed at the amount of food you can grow in a tiny space. There’ll be plants to take to grow at home, and a resource pack with info on planting and tending crops. 12noon–4pm
Foraging Walk, Gillespie Park and Ecology Centre, N5 1PH
Take a wild food walk through Gillespie Park Nature Reserve with John Rensten, the urban forager, spotting edible and medicinal species on the way. 1–3pm
Urban Wild Plant Safari: Bankside. Starts Tate Community Garden, SE1
A three-hour walk through the backstreets of Bankside with medical herbalist Marcos Patchett, who practices at Neals Yard and Middlesex University’s Park Clinic. Marcos will point out the often neglected urban herbs that hide in plain sight, including a plant to stop the flow of a bleeding cut, a hay fever remedy, and a herb that even lowers blood pressure. 2–4pm
MONDAY 1 JUNE
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, The Gate Library, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
(all as before)
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
We’ve all killed a houseplant at some point, either through neglect or too much love. The Idler Academy invites everyone to bring along their dead houseplant offerings and put them towards a temporary garden installation. All they ask is that you write a short epitaph to the plant-that-is-no-more. There will be a wake, with gin.
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
The eco-bench, with its built-in vertical planters, shows how fruit, vegetables and herbs can be grown anywhere. A similar eco-bench has been built by young volunteers at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens in Israel, and there’ll be a live link up between London and Jerusalem on the day. 10am–1pm
TUESDAY 2 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, The Gate Library, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Pick up a Stitch at the Inner Temple Garden, EC4
(all as before)
Bankside Urban Forest – greening the grey in the heart of London, SE1
A week of activities begins with a lunchtime gardening session for people who work in the area, and anyone else who’d like to get involved, on the pavements of Hopton Street.
Burgess Park gets a Fringe with London Wildlife Trust, SE5
Discover who’s flying overhead and lurking in the lakes and ponds on this guided evening walk through the wildlife areas of Burgess Park.
Pick up a Stitch at the Inner Temple Garden, EC4
A pop-up knitting club creates colourful woollen pom-poms, knitted cosies and other decorations for the trees and statues of Inner Temple Garden.
WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Sonya Patel Ellis, The Gate Library, Newham, E7
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before)
Special Almshouse Tours, Geffrye Museum, E2
A restored almshouse has been taken back to its original state, to show the living conditions of the poor and elderly in London in former times. During the Chelsea Fringe, tours will include a visit to the gardens. 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm
Bankside Urban Forest – seed bomb masterclass, The Bridge Café, SE1
Seed bombs are fun to make, and when dispersed, enable seeds to be sown in hard-to-reach places, bringing some floral loveliness to neglected spaces. 12.30pm
Oasis outdoor cinema night, Oasis Nature Garden, SW4
Film to be confirmed. 6–8.30pm
THURSDAY 4 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, The Gate Library, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
The garden of you… and the wishing tree, Battersea Flower Station, SW11
(all as before)
Sonya Ellis/The Story Within, The Gate Library, E7
Join artist, writer and editor Sonya Patel Ellis on for the official opening of the Forest Gate leg of her exhibition The Story Within, winner of the Rosetta Art Centre’s RELAY Platform competition 2015. 6.30pm–8.30pm
FRIDAY 5 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, The Gate Library, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before)
The most dangerous garden for cats and dogs, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
A garden containing all manner of flowers and shrubs that are poisonous to pets, to raise awareness that even everyday plants can be toxic. 10.30am–5pm
Hugo Bugg Garden Parties, Vauxhall, SE11
Hugo Bugg’s Chelsea gold-medal winning waterscape garden has been relocated to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. It uses a sustainable drainage system to divert rainwater from the overloaded public sewers and channel it to irrigate plants instead. There’s a garden party here every Friday during the Chelsea Fringe Festival. 12noon–3pm
Cressingham Rain Gardens opening celebration, SW2
Celebrate the completion of the Cressingham rain gardens – a community led project to construct the biggest rain garden in Lambeth, created in partnership with London Wildlife Trust. Entrance nearest Esso garage, from Tulse Hill. 2–3.30pm
‘Taking a Turn’ closing party, Exchange Square, EC2
Bring a plastic bag or two to take away plants after 8.30pm. Party 6–9pm
Vauxhall Gardens Remember’d, London House, WC1
Harpsichord recital by Pawel Siwczak showcasing composers played at Vauxhall Gardens in the 18th century, among them Handel, JC Bach and Joseph Haydn. 7–10.30pm
SATURDAY 6 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Special Almshouse Tours, Geffrye Museum, E2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, The Gate Library, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Nine Elms Horticultural Spa and Apothecary Experience, Riverside Gardens, SW8
Oasis Garden Trail, Stockwell, SW4
The most dangerous garden for cats and dogs, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Chelsea Fringe Midnight Apothecary, Brunel Museum Roof Garden, SE16
(all as before)
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ Shadow Garden, Spital Square, E1
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ shaded courtyard garden is open to visitors and Julie Charlesworth, their gardener, will be on hand to answer questions about shade-loving plants, some of which will be for sale. 10–4pm
Fun on the Roof! Family Day at the Doddington and Rollo Community Roof Garden, Battersea, SW11
Games, strawberry picking, story telling, face painting, food, music and art, all on a roof. 11am–4pm
Clapton Park – the poppy estate, E5
Join the volunteers of this community for a tour of the estate and get to see how they pull together to make their green space a catalyst for change. 11am–7pm
Summer Fair in Tower Hamlets, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
An annual celebration of woodland crafts including basket weaving, with a tea and cake stall run by the East End Women’s Institute. 12noon–5pm
Music to Grow Your Garden By, Geffrye Museum, E2
A mix of madrigals, part-songs and contemporary tunes to raise the spirits of plants and gardeners. 12noon–12.40pm
Wildflower Bee Hotel – Bee the Change, Turnham Green, W4
A fun-filled series of bee-related activities for the whole family, centered around the Wildflower Bee Hotel. 1–2pm
Culpeper’s Herbal Remedy, Geffrye Museum, E2
Join Margaret Willes for a fascinating talk about herbalist, botanist and radical apothecary Nicholas Culpeper, then create your own remedies and cosmetics. 2–4pm
Hidden Garden Art Show, Hampstead, NW3
An exhibition of outdoor artworks at the Maureen Michaelson Gallery, in a lushly planted private garden not normally open to the public. 2–6pm
SUNDAY 7 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Nine Elms Horticultural Spa and Apothecary Experience, Riverside Gardens, SW8
The most dangerous garden for cats and dogs, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Pick up a Stitch at the Inner Temple Garden, EC4
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Hidden Garden Art Show, Hampstead, NW3
(all as before)
Canal Club Gardening Party, Belmont Wharf, E2
The boat-dwellers who created this community garden will be firing up the outdoor clay oven and inviting everyone to make their own pizza and admire the art works on show. 11am–6pm
Set in Modern, pop-up writing at the RoofTopVegPlot, Great Titchfield Street, W1
Can plants trigger creativity? Here is an opportunity to find out for yourself in the tiny, organic urban hideaway created by writer and environmentalist Wendy Shillam. 11am–5pm
Cook with the family, Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
Learn how to make your own fresh pasta and pesto sauce, followed by a communal meal to tuck into the results. 11am–2pm
Gardens Family Festival, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Listen to live performances by the London Vegetable Orchestra, tour the Horniman sundials and learn how to make a seed bomb or your own carrot recorder. 12noon–4pm
Olden Community Garden Party, Drayton Park, Highbury, N5
Music – from French jazz, to folk and Argentinian waltzes – a barbecue, tea and cake, and Pimms, in this gem of a garden within a free-kick’s distance of the Emirates Stadium. 2–7pm
SATURDAY 30 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
A witty commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Wes Shaw and his team explore the themes of the Horniman’s indoor, interactive Plantastic exhibition with three bespoke planting schemes: Anatomy of a Flower, Sunseekers and Planting for Pollinators.
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
This garden installation on the site of Bedlam – Bethlam Royal Hospital – the world’s oldest psychiatric hospital, brings together medicine, history and horticulture in its exploration of therapeutic regimes for mental health.
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Download a free map and discover Edible Bankside Projects in the heart of London.
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
A sneak preview of a garden inspired by a Barbara Hepworth textile design, realised in cast limestone by architectural stonework company Haddonstone on the piazza outside the Tea House Theatre. The finished garden can be seen at the Tate Britain from 24 June this year.
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
An archipelago of small floating islands on the Lake at Queen Mary’s Gardens in Regent’s Park highlights the threat to wildlife and underwater vegetation in our urban rivers and canals.
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
This art installation in Turnham Green’s wildflower meadows is habitable, and aims to attract both solitary and bumble bees and over the duration of this year’s Chelsea Fringe Festival.
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Postcard collector Sophie Hill looks at a selection of images that take gardens as their inspiration.
Chelsea floral cake, Peter Jones, Sloane Square, SW1
Department store Peter Jones will be serving a Welsh honey and English lavender cake with a rose water cream in its brasserie and restaurant to celebrate the Fringe.
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
The ultimate shed, decorated with a patchwork of flowers and leaves made from the latest collections of fabrics and wallpapers. 9.30am–5pm
Sonya Patel Ellis/The Story Within, The Gate Library, Forest Gate, E7
An exhibition of artworks includes a Hebarium Wall and a tribute to the Upper Cut Club where Jimi Hendrix penned the lyrics to Purple Haze, plus a musical map based on a field study of Michaelmas daisies in Forest Gate. 9.30am–5.30pm
Felted birds and pods, South London Botanical Institute, SE24
Women of the Cloth demonstrate the wet felting technique, and then show how to make a sculpted shape such as a bird by working the fibres together with a barbed needle – known as needle felting. 10am–2pm
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
An exhibition of postcards and text around the theme of gardens. 10am–9pm
Bee drawing workshop in Burgess Park, Chumleigh Gardens, SE5
Experiment with rapid sketching and learn about bee behaviour on plants so bees look natural in your drawings. No experience of drawing necessary. 10am–4pm
Nine Elms Horticultural Spa and Apothecary Experience, Riverside Gardens, SW8
Part greenhouse, part futuristic tea ceremony courtesy of Loop.pH, by the tower at One St George’s Wharf. 10am–8pm
Walk the Peckham Coal Line, SE15
Come and see South London’s answer to the New York High Line at this exciting stage of its development. The plan is to turn the high-level disused railway sidings of the old coal line into an elevated park. The walk starts at the Bussey Building in Copeland Park – pedestrian access off Rye Lane – and can be taken at your own pace. 11am–5pm
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Photographic and sound installations by Corinne Silva, exploring Israel’s suburban gardens, parks and public places as a tool of aggressive state expansion into Palestinian territories. 11am–6pm
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
Visit the bonsai trees on loan from Bonsai Kai, Europe’s oldest bonsai club.
11am-5pm
Paper-pot maker workshop, Caravanserai, E16
Fashion a paper-pot maker out of recycled wood, which you can then use as a template for making small newspaper pots. These are great for seedlings, as you plant them directly into the ground – the newspaper biodegrades – and this minimises root disturbance. 11am–1pm
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Enjoy herbs, flowers and gardening in the heart of the East London. 11am–7pm
Herbal Health Bar Weekend at the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Enjoy tea tastings, an exhibitions of art, consultations with herbalists, seed plantings, and herbal tales from around the world with story-teller Joanna Moon. There’ll also be the chance to buy tea blends, massage oils, balms and cough syrups from the Health Bar. 2–6pm
Copeland Park – a tarmac playground, Peckham, SE15
For one day only, Copeland Yard becomes a car-free tarmac playground, hosting free activities, classes, a market and a pedal powered cinema screening of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. 11am–11pm
International cultures and cuisines of The Calthorpe Project, Gray’s Inn Road, WC1
Food and drink from all over the world, great music and activities for all ages at this global garden party at The Calthorpe Project, a green oasis near King’s Cross. 12noon–6pm
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
The Athenaeum is marking the Chelsea Fringe with a special afternoon tea including orange blossom scones, rose-scented macaroons and strawberry tartlets with lavender jam. 12.30–5.30pm
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
Espacio’s third Fringe exhibition showing 18 artists’ diverse and exciting interpretations of the natural world. 1–7pm
Float a Lotus, start at the lawn of the Tate Modern, SE1
Pools will be placed in selected sites across the capital. Enjoy a meditative sojourn while discussing the finer points of Gardens of Consciousness. 1pm
Horticultural Hackney Walk, Geffrye Museum, E2
Local historian Margaret Willes from the Hackney Society retraces the footsteps of gardeners and nurserymen to tell the story of Shoreditch and Hoxton from the Tudor period to the present. 2–3.45pm
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Enter the dark interior of a shipping container to discover the edgy sub-soil world of roots and bulbs, with an explosion of petals and colour to reward you at the end of your adventure. 2–8pm
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
Pop Brixton is a new community campus for start-ups and small businesses, with a portable orchard in their courtyard, courtesy of landscape consultancy Uncommon. 2–11pm
Chelsea Fringe Midnight Apothecary, Brunel Museum Roof Garden, SE16
Chill out with cocktails around a giant fire pit in a secret rooftop garden in Rotherhithe, enjoy a great Greek Grill from I Should Be Souvlaki, and listen to birds, insects and other musical talent. Booking essential. 5.30pm–10.30pm
SUNDAY 31 MAY
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Plantastic, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Nine Elms Horticultural Spa and Apothecary Experience, Riverside Park, SW8
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Herbal Health Bar Weekend, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Espacio Gallery: Germination, Bethnal Green, E2
Garden of Disorientation, Pop Brixton, SW9
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
(all as before)
Walking Tour: 10 years of guerilla gardening
It’s been a decade since Richard Reynolds started tending neglected patches of land round the Elephant and Castle. While some now bloom as local landmarks, others have been flattened by redevelopment. He takes us on a tour of roadside gardens and pocket parks, telling tales of opportunities and obstacles, collaborations and conflicts. 11am–12.30pm
Walk on the Wild Side at Gunnersbury, Gunnersbury Park, W3
Live music, performance, Morris workshops with The Belles of London City, the chance to create an installation for the nature trail with arts group A.P.P.L.E, and storytelling from the resident Green Man. 11.30am–4.30pm
Crops in Pots, Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
Prepare to be amazed at the amount of food you can grow in a tiny space. There’ll be plants to take to grow at home, and a resource pack with info on planting and tending crops. 12noon–4pm
Foraging Walk, Gillespie Park and Ecology Centre, N5 1PH
Take a wild food walk through Gillespie Park Nature Reserve with John Rensten, the urban forager, spotting edible and medicinal species on the way. 1–3pm
Urban Wild Plant Safari: Bankside. Starts Tate Community Garden, SE1
A three-hour walk through the backstreets of Bankside with medical herbalist Marcos Patchett, who practices at Neals Yard and Middlesex University’s Park Clinic. Marcos will point out the often neglected urban herbs that hide in plain sight, including a plant to stop the flow of a bleeding cut, a hay fever remedy, and a herb that even lowers blood pressure. 2–4pm
MONDAY 1 JUNE
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, The Gate Library, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
(all as before)
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
We’ve all killed a houseplant at some point, either through neglect or too much love. The Idler Academy invites everyone to bring along their dead houseplant offerings and put them towards a temporary garden installation. All they ask is that you write a short epitaph to the plant-that-is-no-more. There will be a wake, with gin.
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
The eco-bench, with its built-in vertical planters, shows how fruit, vegetables and herbs can be grown anywhere. A similar eco-bench has been built by young volunteers at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens in Israel, and there’ll be a live link up between London and Jerusalem on the day. 10am–1pm
TUESDAY 2 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, The Gate Library, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Pick up a Stitch at the Inner Temple Garden, EC4
(all as before)
Bankside Urban Forest – greening the grey in the heart of London, SE1
A week of activities begins with a lunchtime gardening session for people who work in the area, and anyone else who’d like to get involved, on the pavements of Hopton Street.
Burgess Park gets a Fringe with London Wildlife Trust, SE5
Discover who’s flying overhead and lurking in the lakes and ponds on this guided evening walk through the wildlife areas of Burgess Park.
Pick up a Stitch at the Inner Temple Garden, EC4
A pop-up knitting club creates colourful woollen pom-poms, knitted cosies and other decorations for the trees and statues of Inner Temple Garden. 5–8.30pm (and Sun 7 June, 11am–3pm)
WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Sonya Patel Ellis, The Gate Library, Newham, E7
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before)
Special Almshouse Tours, Geffrye Museum, E2
A restored almshouse has been taken back to its original state, to show the living conditions of the poor and elderly in London in former times. During the Chelsea Fringe, tours will include a visit to the gardens. 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm
Bankside Urban Forest – seed bomb masterclass, The Bridge Café, SE1
Seed bombs are fun to make, and when dispersed, enable seeds to be sown in hard-to-reach places, bringing some floral loveliness to neglected spaces. 12.30pm
Oasis outdoor cinema night, Oasis Nature Garden, SW4
Film to be confirmed. 6–8.30pm
THURSDAY 4 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, The Gate Library, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Launch of plant eco-benches in London and Jerusalem, Golders Green, NW11
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
The garden of you… and the wishing tree, Battersea Flower Station, SW11
(all as before)
Sonya Ellis/The Story Within, The Gate Library, E7
Join artist, writer and editor Sonya Patel Ellis on for the official opening of the Forest Gate leg of her exhibition The Story Within, winner of the Rosetta Art Centre’s RELAY Platform competition 2015. 6.30pm–8.30pm
FRIDAY 5 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Taking a Turn: Mental Health History of Hospital Gardens, Exchange Square, EC2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, The Gate Library, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
(all as before)
The most dangerous garden for cats and dogs, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
A garden containing all manner of flowers and shrubs that are poisonous to pets, to raise awareness that even everyday plants can be toxic. 10.30am–5pm
Hugo Bugg Garden Parties, Vauxhall, SE11
Hugo Bugg’s Chelsea gold-medal winning waterscape garden has been relocated to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. It uses a sustainable drainage system to divert rainwater from the overloaded public sewers and channel it to irrigate plants instead. There’s a garden party here every Friday during the Chelsea Fringe Festival. 12noon–3pm
Cressingham Rain Gardens opening celebration, SW2
Celebrate the completion of the Cressingham rain gardens – a community led project to construct the biggest rain garden in Lambeth, created in partnership with London Wildlife Trust. Entrance nearest Esso garage, from Tulse Hill. 2–3.30pm
‘Taking a Turn’ closing party, Exchange Square, EC2
Bring a plastic bag or two to take away plants after 8.30pm. Party 6–9pm
Vauxhall Gardens Remember’d, London House, WC1
Harpsichord recital by Pawel Siwczak showcasing composers played at Vauxhall Gardens in the 18th century, among them Handel, JC Bach and Joseph Haydn. 7–10.30pm
SATURDAY 6 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Special Almshouse Tours, Geffrye Museum, E2
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Hortus non Conclusus, Vauxhall, SE11
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Sonya Patel Ellis, The Gate Library, Newham, E7
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Nine Elms Horticultural Spa and Apothecary Experience, Riverside Gardens, SW8
Oasis Garden Trail, Stockwell, SW4
The most dangerous garden for cats and dogs, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Bonsai Kai at Fenton House, NW3
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Chelsea Fringe Midnight Apothecary, Brunel Museum Roof Garden, SE16
(all as before)
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ Shadow Garden, Spital Square, E1
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ shaded courtyard garden is open to visitors and Julie Charlesworth, their gardener, will be on hand to answer questions about shade-loving plants, some of which will be for sale. 10–4pm
Fun on the Roof! Family Day at the Doddington and Rollo Community Roof Garden, Battersea, SW11
Games, strawberry picking, story telling, face painting, food, music and art, all on a roof. 11am–4pm
Clapton Park – the poppy estate, E5
Join the volunteers of this community for a tour of the estate and get to see how they pull together to make their green space a catalyst for change. 11am–7pm
Summer Fair in Tower Hamlets, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3
An annual celebration of woodland crafts including basket weaving, with a tea and cake stall run by the East End Women’s Institute. 12noon–5pm
Music to Grow Your Garden By, Geffrye Museum, E2
A mix of madrigals, part-songs and contemporary tunes to raise the spirits of plants and gardeners. 12noon–12.40pm
Wildflower Bee Hotel – Bee the Change, Turnham Green, W4
A fun-filled series of bee-related activities for the whole family, centered around the Wildflower Bee Hotel. 1–2pm
Culpeper’s Herbal Remedy, Geffrye Museum, E2
Join Margaret Willes for a fascinating talk about herbalist, botanist and radical apothecary Nicholas Culpeper, then create your own remedies and cosmetics. 2–4pm
Hidden Garden Art Show, Hampstead, NW3
An exhibition of outdoor artworks at the Maureen Michaelson Gallery, in a lushly planted private garden not normally open to the public. 2–6pm
‘Just Dig It’ botanical fancy dress party, Loughborough Junction, SW9
There’ll be live music and a DJ, freshly cooked food, and Brixton Brewery beer and botanical cocktails courtesy of the Snugg Bar of Brixton Village at this arch party opposite Wyck Gardens hosted by The Edible Bus Stop and Incredible Edible Lambeth. Prizes for the best fancy dress. All welcome. 4–9pm
SUNDAY 7 JUNE
Plant Cemetery, The Idler Academy, Notting Hill, W2
The Wellington Tower, SW1
Plantastic Gardens, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
BEST of BOST – explore green and edible Bankside, SE1
Floating Garden, Regent’s Park, NW1
Wildflower Bee Hotel, Turnham Green, W4
Postcard Garden at The London Arts Board, SE5
Shed Chic, Chelsea Harbour, SW10
Postcard Gardens, Oxford House, E2
Nine Elms Horticultural Spa and Apothecary Experience, Riverside Gardens, SW8
The most dangerous garden for cats and dogs, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Pick up a Stitch at the Inner Temple Garden, EC4
Garden State, The Mosaic Rooms, SW5
Portable Orchard, Pop Brixton, SW9
The Garden of Disorientation Volume 2, Pop Brixton, SW9
A Festival of ‘Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, E8
Floral Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum, Piccadilly, W1
Hidden Garden Art Show, Hampstead, NW3
(all as before)
Canal Club Gardening Party, Belmont Wharf, E2
The boat-dwellers who created this community garden will be firing up the outdoor clay oven and inviting everyone to make their own pizza and admire the art works on show. 11am–6pm
Set in Modern, pop-up writing at the RoofTopVegPlot, Great Titchfield Street, W1
Can plants trigger creativity? Here is an opportunity to find out for yourself in the tiny, organic urban hideaway created by writer and environmentalist Wendy Shillam. 11am–5pm
Cook with the family, Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
Learn how to make your own fresh pasta and pesto sauce, followed by a communal meal to tuck into the results. 11am–2pm
Gardens Family Festival, Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23
Listen to live performances by the London Vegetable Orchestra, tour the Horniman sundials and learn how to make a seed bomb or your own carrot recorder. 12noon–4pm
Olden Community Garden Party, Drayton Park, Highbury, N5
Music – from French jazz, to folk and Argentinian waltzes – a barbecue, tea and cake, and Pimms, in this gem of a garden within a free-kick’s distance of the Emirates Stadium. 2–7pm
Please click here to hear it: http://www.thebrecklandview.com/2014/05/25/audio-art-gardens-and-words/
Harriot Lane Fox is part of the team that answers emails to the Chelsea Fringe inbox – she gives friendly advice on how to take part in the festival. Here she tells us more about what being a green-fingered impresario involves.
What kind of projects is the Fringe looking for? The Chelsea Fringe manifesto, if that doesn’t sound too up-the-revolution, is fantastically inclusive. We celebrate anything to do with gardens and gardening as long as it’s legal. The basic ingredient is plants but that could be growing them – in allotments, on roundabouts, behind private front doors, up posh hotel walls; turning them into art or high fashion, serenading them, writing odes, telling stories, putting them on the menu and even into cocktail shakers. In fact, it’s probably easier to say what we’re not looking for (that would be burger vans; thanks for getting in touch but we’re not that kind of festival!).
What makes a good Fringe project? The best ones really engage their audiences, non-gardeners as well as the green-fingered. For instance, in 2014 we had a new medicinal garden where visitors could learn how to brew up potions, a celebration of sci-fi author John Wyndham with a triffid-making workshop, and a mobile ice-cream machine using community-grown plants to create crazy flavours. I know that if I get a tingle from the first email enquiry, so will our visitors when they read the listing.
The other ingredient is more practical. While we can help projects discover their inner Fringe-y-ness, in the end they have to be well organised and self-propelled.
What happens once my project is approved? We don’t have paid staff (or an office). Instead the Fringe operates a kind of buddy system. Once we think your project is suitable, we hook you up with a volunteer coordinator, someone based nearby if possible, to help you sign up. You will need to have all the listing nitty gritty finalised first, and a picture ready, because what you put into the form is what goes online; “TBA” is not OK.
Early-birding is worth it, if you can. Registration gives projects access to tips on marketing and using social media, and our PR person will include you in the Fringe publicity campaign, bolstering your own. Our media partner BBC Radio London will begin previewing the festival once registration starts.
We usually have two public meetings. The first, sometime in March, is a chance to pick the brains of fellow Fringers (Fringies? Fringe-istas?), both co-ordinators and veteran project organisers. The second in May is when you will collect the branding board to help visitors find you. Both dates to be confirmed
Is it possible to set up a project outside London? Absolutely. The Chelsea Fringe has gone viral. We generally say you need five or six events in one place to qualify as a satellite fringe, and last year we added Henley-on-Thames, Milan, Melbourne and Nagoya (Japan), to Ljubljana, Brighton, Bristol, Kent and Vienna. There are also lone events and other projects only exist online.
Is there any funding or sponsorship available? Not unless you raise it yourself. To say we operate on a shoestring is to flatter the Fringe bank balance. That’s why we have so many different registration rates, to enable lone artists and garden designers, underfunded community groups and primary schools, and every size of charity to take part. This is a grass-roots festival.
Interested in taking part? Email info@chelseafringe.com
