Historic Garden goes on film for Chelsea in Bloom
Chelsea Physic Garden, acknowledged as one of the most well-respected botanical gardens in the world, will make its debut showing in this year’s Chelsea in Bloom.
Working to the theme Flowers on Film, the Garden’s installation will be a twist on the Frances Hodgson Burnett classic and entitled ‘London’s ‘Not So’ Secret Garden’ to emphasise its 350-year heritage and the joy the Garden can bring to all ages and not just experienced gardening aficionados.
Led by Linda Cottee, a specialist London event and installation florist and Morgan Douglas Nuth from Old Oak Floral Designers in Ascot, a team of eight Good Florist Guide members from throughout the UK and Ireland will create a fabulous interpretation of all things floral and plant to create a massive, roof top watering can as well as a magical entrance to emphasise the incredible diversity of both the Garden and the world of flowers and plants.
Commenting on the design Linda said: “Plants … whether they’re in a small pot or part of a large estate ... are the most powerful element in the world. Not just for their many medicinal benefits but mental health and wellbeing too. Flowers are a natural endorphin too and as florists we use them to celebrate every occasion and bring joy and comfort at every event. Combined in a fun way – look out for some very different tools of the trade! - we’ll be showcasing everything Chelsea Physic Garden stands for; both its history and its wellbeing benefits which continue to this day.”
The 4-metre-high watering can will be covered in plants, many supplied by Capital Gardens, a regular supporter of the Garden whilst the wall and door will feature a host of tropical flowers, sourced from Covent Garden Flower Market, combining all the skills of floristry as well as some nifty mechanical engineering to create a free hanging display festooned with colour.
And whilst both installations will use the most sustainable design techniques possible, for the aspects of the displays’ GHG emissions that cannot be avoided the team are partnering with Furthr, a London-based climate service provider, to calculate, learn to reduce, and offset our unavoidable carbon emissions via funding high-quality clean-energy projects.
Comenting on the installation, Sue Medway, Director of Chelsea Physic Garden said: “Being in the very heart of Chelsea and in our special anniversary year, it seemed fitting to be part of Chelsea in Bloom. But we wanted something a bit different to show that whilst our – pardon the pun – roots may be steeped in history, the Garden is very much for both today’s and future generations. Having watched the design ideas unfold I am really excited to see it come together.”
The Good Florist Guide members taking part
Laura Bellamy, The Florist by Blush Gainsborough Lincolnshire https://thefloristmarshallsyard.co.uk
Nicola Evans, Beau-k Florist Eastbourne East Sussex https://www.beau-k-florist.co.uk/
Karen Lindsay, Flowers by Karen Kilmarnock Scotland https://www.flowerskilmarnock.co.uk
Karen Massey, Fleurtatious Dublin https://www.fleurtatious.ie
Jayne Grantham, Beehive Florists Chelmsford Essex https://www.beehive-florists.co.uk
Emma Mooney, Flowerscene Aberdeen Scotland https://www.flowersceneaberdeen.co.uk
Jen Carson-Fox, Cheshire Flowers, Stockport, Cheshire https://www.cheshireflowers.co.uk/
Karen Divilly, Cheshire Flowers, Cheshire Flowers Stockport, Cheshire https://www.cheshireflowers.co.uk/
Linda Cottee, Linda Cottee Flowers Ltd New Covent Garden London http://lindacotteeflowers.com
Morgan Douglas Nuth, Old Oak Floral Designers Ascot Berkshire https://www.oldoakflorist.co.uk
