Burpee Europe and Pennard Plants combined exhibit of tender vegetables
It’s been a great week for the combined exhibit of Burpee Europe and Pennard Plants at RHS Chelsea, winning a gold medal for its tender vegetables.
The exhibit was inspired by the American author Bill Alexander’s new book, Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World. On Monday’s press day, historian Ruth Goodman opened the stand. Mark Diacomo of Otter Farm created an autumn tomato and cucumber cocktail for everyone attending.
On Tuesday, the display won a prestigious gold medal. The September show has favoured the tomatoes and other edibles, which normally are not in season for the May event. The top subject raised by the public has been tomato blight. Try growing blight-resistant varieties from Burpee, such as the new Burlesque and Merrygold.
However, tomatoes have been accompanied by other new tender vegetables. Check out white okra Bhut Bhindi, pepper Sparky, cooking cucumber Cucumis melo, pepper Indi Red, melon Lottie and cucumber Party Time. Tomato debutantes are Merrygold and Burlesque.
Ten Tomatoes That Changed The World book
Used as projectiles, accused of being vile and tantalisingly connected with a scattering of heroes, con artists and the mafia. No wonder the story of the tomato is a tale worth telling.
There’s no man better to share this Solanum lycopersicum legend than William Alexander. The book is the inspiration of Burpee Europe and Pennard Plants’ gold-winning exhibit at RHS Chelsea.
Ten Tomatoes That Changed The World explains how the love apple became the most popular vegetable in the world. They form a central component in most cuisines, from sandwiches and salads to spaghetti, pizza, and ketchup.
William said: “To an American like me, being represented at the Chelsea Flower Show is like playing on Center (sorry, Centre) Court at Wimbledon. To have Burpee – who gave us one of the Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World (the game-changing Big Boy) – use my book as the theme of their show is a huge honour.
“Ten Tomatoes spans 500 years of tomatoes, from conquistadors to carbon-neutral greenhouses. What better way to grasp the impact and scope of the world’s favourite vegetable than to see all ten of them displayed all together?”
