HELLO Garden Lovers!

I've just spent a wonderful weekend indulging in all things horticultural at the Australian Garden Show.

It may not be Chelsea, yet, and it may only be in its second year but it has all the right ingredients to be one of the great garden shows.

An inspiring array of show gardens, fabulous nursery stalls and garden products, floral art and flowers, and an impressive selection of gardening celebrities and experts.

Over the four days, everyone was there from Indira Naidoo, Elizabeth Swane and Judy Horton to Costa, Angus Stewart, Don Burke, Phil Dudman and Graham Ross, and many more.

They were presenting inspirational garden talks, hands on demonstrations, Q and A sessions and generally mixing with the crowds.

I arrived early on a rainy Saturday morning for a VIP garden clinic breakfast with Graham Ross and family, to be followed by a guided tour of the show gardens.

Unfortunately the heavens opened, as they had done for the two weeks of 'set up' and first two days of the show, and I was told by Graham later that over two inches had fallen during our breakfast chat.

Eventually we got outside, and Graham led a small group of interested gardeners on a tour of the show, focussing on the Floral Pavilion and Show Gardens.

It was a treat to be introduced to each of the show garden designers and have them explain the concept, design and construction of their gardens.

By lunchtime the sun was out and it was time to eat, shop and be merry!

I perused the garden bookshop, admired the art of floral arrangers, chatted with garden folk from near and far, emptied my wallet on plant treasures and sought garden advice at the Ross's Garden Clinic.

I attended a number of garden talks, including a most informative session by Graham Ross on The Gardeners I've Met Who Influenced My Life, and was rather chuffed when he acknowledged me as a new garden friend he has met through visiting gardens.

As closing time approached, I tucked my newly acquired floral garden umbrella under one arm, my satchel and camera over the shoulder, an extremely heavy bag of large coffee table garden books in one hand and an equally heavy bag of precious plants in the other, and headed for home - happy, footsore, damp and ready to do it all again tomorrow!

Happy gardening,

George Hoad