Working at Hove Council nursery
While working at the Hove Council nursery, I was fortunate to be involved in exhibiting Hove’s Floral Clock at the Chelsea Flower Show. It was built in four sections which were filled with soil and filled with carpet bedding plants several weeks before the event. As the plants grew, they were kept clipped in shape. I am afraid carpet bedding is a dying art these days.
A pale shadow of itself
All the sections were transported to the show along with the clock mechanism and many extra plants. The whole thing was assembled on site. I must say at the time we were very proud of our achievement, the like of which will not be seen again. I recently visited Palmeira Square,(I now live in Swindon), and was very disappointed with the state of the Floral Clock which is now a pale shadow of it’s former self.
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Hove Floral Clock At The Chelsea Flower Show
Hove Floral Clock At The Chelsea Flower Show
Hove Floral Clock At The Chelsea Flower Show
Hove Floral Clock At The Chelsea Flower Show
Hove Floral Clock At The Chelsea Flower Show
Hove Floral Clock At The Chelsea Flower Show
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An attractive but time consuming display, which probably accounts for any deterioration in the present floral clock. Can you recall the type of plants used, John?
Thyme I would think, Stefan, and hopefully not seconds. I used to work in Palmeira Mansions, overlooking the floral display, and I can confirm it is not what it was. Regards, Alan.
Presumably in punnets, Alan?
I’ve been trying to remember what plants we used in the clock and have come up with the following: Pyrethrum, yellow; Alternanthera, red or green; Echeveria, grey or red rosette succulent; Sedum, silver mat forming and Geraniums, variegated leaves and red flowers. Hope this is helpful to any gardeners out there.
If you want to see a floral Clock in all its glory head north to Morpeth, Northumberland, where in Carlisle Park you will a fantastic example of traditional carpet bedding. First installed 1972, updated 2018.
I went to school in Hove in the 1950s, and the Floral Clock was magnificent then.
I wonder when it was first installed?
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