Shirlie Kemp has revealed how she is getting her garden ready this summer and her reasons for letting her garden become overgrown.
Her choice of garden design features an array of plant varieties that have been left to their own devices, creating a wild, meadow look, which she claims also serves an important environmental purpose too.
The 62-year-old singer and her former Spandau Ballet member husband Martin have also been getting ready for the RHS Chelsea Flower show and talked about how much their garden means to them.
Overgrown, diverse garden
The garden features on the Kemp family's Instagram page @maisonnumber9 where the couple explain why they are letting their garden become overgrown.
They stated they are "leaving lots of areas alone to do their own thing, so no mowing" as they revealed rows of cow parsley, wallflowers, geums, dahlias, strawberry plants and much more.
The Kemp family has previously talked about their garden project, including a converted pig hut that they call "piglet" that became a dining room.
Shirlie said she is now "constantly adding plants around piglet" and that she is patiently waiting "to create the garden that I see in my head" but that "it is rewarding seeing what we have created in such a short time."
'Pretty lilac' picnic table adorned with roses
In another social media post she revealed her wildflower meadow with a picnic table decorated with freshly-cut roses.
She posted: "Hay fevers [sic] strong today but I still managed to capture this in the meadow before it’s all cut back 🌸🌿🌳 I bought the pretty lilac table cloth from one of my favourite stores @daylesfordfarm"
One fan responded: "Your garden is so magical and tranquil hope the hay fever goes i know the feeling but worth it in a garden like that enjoy the sunshine🌞💕"
Getting into the RHS Chelsea Show spirit
Martin and Shirlie Kemp filmed a tour for the BBC in preparation for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show explaining how much their garden means to them.
Martin said: "I'm more of a gardener than anything else these days. I am the most happiest not when I'm at work anymore but when I am covered in mud down here in my garden. It's a real good form of meditation."
Shirlie also posted: "A few snippets of the garden as it’s starting bloom with gorgeous colours, really looking forward to @rhschelsea this week 🌸🌿🌸#gardens #chelseaflowershow2024"
