RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
remarkable legacy of Florence Nightingale and the importance of gardens for wellbeing and recovery . For the September show , Robert has adjusted the planting pallet so rather than creating a shady garden with woodland plants , the garden will be a bright and vibrant space with colourful late summer perennials .
The incredible efforts of the thousands of NHS workers who care for millions of people across the UK and have kept the health service running throughout the Coronavirus pandemic will be celebrated in the Finding Our Way – An NHS Tribute Garden ’ by Naomi Ferrett-Cohen . The healing power of gardens and nature also inspired the design of The Bible Society : Psalm 23 Garden by multi award winning designer Sarah Eberle and The M & G Garden by design duo Harris Bugg designed to raise awareness of the increased need to introduce beautiful and restorative green spaces within our towns and cities .
In a year where international travel is limited , gardens taking inspiration from foreign landscapes will transport visitors to far away destinations . Despite being based in Thailand , first time RHS Chelsea designers Tawatchai Sakdikul and Ploytabtim Suksang are determined not to let potential travel restrictions prevent The Calm of Bangkok Garden being part of this year ’ s historic show and are confident their team in London will be able to deliver the garden should they be unable to travel .
Designers also taking inspiration from foreign landscapes include first time designers Ekaterina Zasukhina with Carly Kershaw who will explore the beauty of the Ural Mountain region in Russia , as well as retuning award winning designers Taina Suonio whose design celebrates the Nordic tradition of seaside life and Jonathan Snow with a Himalayan inspired garden for Trailfinders . As the national flower of Nepal , the garden features rhododendrons but as they will not be in flower now the show is in September , Jonathan plans to add colour by incorporating some late flowering Hydrangeas .
Back on home soil , The Yeo Valley Organic Garden by Tom Massey supported by Sarah Mead will bring a slice of the Yeo Valley Farm in Somerset to SW3 , inspiring visitors to adopt organic gardening practices and put nature first . The later show date has given them more scope and a greater range of plants they can grow for the garden particularly the flowering plants for late summer colour , which will include dahlias , Echinacea , and rudbeckia , some of which are being grown by Sarah at the farm in Somerset .
Helena Pettit , RHS Director of Shows & Gardens : ‘ This year ’ s RHS Chelsea Flower Show is going to be a moment in history and we are incredibly grateful to all the designers , growers and sponsors who have embraced the new date and have worked hard to adjust their plans and take on the challenge to be a part of this one-off autumn show . For many designers the change in season has provided a rare opportunity to work with exciting new plants , which you wouldn ’ t usually see at RHS Chelsea and I am so looking forward to seeing the array of later summer and autumn flowers and plants that will be on display – it is going to be an incredible and unique sight .”
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