The Great Pavillion contains a diverse mix of exemplary gardens: we particularly enjoyed the Trinidad and Tobago Horticulture Society’s garden, the Willams F1 display and David Austin’s spectacular roses.

Outside, vying with the temptations of Pimm’s, champagne and other delights from the catering stands, is an inspirational variety of gardens.  Much media attention has been focused on Diarmuid Gavin’s pyramid, which dominates the skyline, but we were haunted by the poignant beauty of the DMZ Forbidden Garden.

Pop into St Christopher’s Place this weekend, and you’ll be lucky enough to see this fantastic floral shoe sculpture.

It’s a replica of the skyscraper heels that Lady Gaga bought from Lungta de Fancy, who have a boutique in St Christopher’s Place.

The shoe has been lowered into the square to mark the start of “The Season” – a week of special events in the gorgeous boutiquey shopping streets in the space behind Oxford Street. There’ll be new store launches, late night openings, special offers, makeovers, champagne and sweet treats for shoppers to enjoy.

Make sure you’re there: The Season runs from 27 May to 3 June

The Isabella Plantation is an enchanting ornamental woodland in Richmond Park.

Laura Nolte shared this beautiful photo of the flowers in blume with the Visit London Flickr group. Don’t forget to add your photos of London looking pretty to the group.

It’s nearly the first day of spring! To celebrate, this week’s photo by camdenphotos features the crocuses blooming in Waterlow Park.

Seen any spring flowers or easter ducklings yet? Share your London photos in the Visit London Flickr pool.

Yes, getting a bouquet is a lovely part of Valentine’s Day. But all too often, there’s a worry that those very flowers have done more harm than good before arriving to adorn your living room.

Today, Cat Deely was in London’s original flower market, Covent Garden, looking like a modern-day Eliza Doolittle, helping launch FLOWE(RED), a new online flower service from (RED). Ethically sourced flowers? You bet. And all the profits from the sale of the bouquets (which cost between £20 and £65) go towards saving lives in Africa.

As Cat says, “FLOWE(RED) is a truly inspiring new service from (RED).  I can now purchase stunning flowers for someone I care about, or as a treat for myself, in the knowledge that the profits reach those who need it the most.  It costs as little as 20p a day to buy the vital medication needed to keep someone who is HIV positive in Africa alive. Thanks to (RED), just one bouquet of flowers can now make a real difference and help save lives.”

Order online at www.flowered.com. Give a good gift this Valentine’s Day.

These new Central London evening classes have just launched and they’re the perfect way to try something new.

Each class lasts for one evening and you’ll take home something you made and the instructions to make more. I learnt how to make a crochet flower corsage which I finished off at home with a shiny button.

As there are only eight students to a class, it’s perfect for beginners. Tutor Jane was very patient, spending extra time with complete novices and suggesting advanced techniques for those of us with a little experience.

If, like me, you’ve been trying to teach yourself to crochet from a book, failed, thrown your knotty mess on the floor and then stamped on it, you need this class. I now know where my rows begin and end, how to hold the yarn and can read a basic pattern.

Classes lined up for September in London include beginners’ knitting, basic jewellery, crochet granny squares and crochet flowers. Find out more at www.teaandcrafting.co.uk.