A nursery owner is hoping to strike gold for the 72 year in a row with a spring-inspired entry for this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Hillier is already the most successful exhibitor in the history of Chelsea, having been awarded 71 consecutive gold medals.
And it is hoping to take the top prize once again with a new design from Chelsea’s most decorated garden designer, Sarah Eberle, who is aiming to win her 14th gold medal at the annual event.
The focal point of the design is a 4.3-metre-high metallic spring with hoops that span the length of the entire garden. The hoops wind through the centre of the garden, leading to a water feature and pool. And at the heart of the spiral, where the coils gather, is a square pavilion area.
The design is complemented by a series of pathways and granite viewing platforms around the edge of the garden to provide perfect viewpoints.
Eberle said: “Hillier is famed for its trees so, of course, trees form a large part of the design. I have included many shaped trees, as well as trees that are suitable for pots for use in difficult spaces. There are also shaped shrubs, showing alternatives to traditional Box topiary which is so sadly suffering from Box blight.
“To this end, we have included a modern parterre. It uses ground cover foliage plants, clipped yew columns of varying heights and has elements of flowers rising above the foliage in areas. We also highlight a number of small shrubs, which are so important for today’s gardeners as smaller-scale gardens are increasingly in the majority.”
The planting will also include two herbaceous borders with climbers on obelisks and pruned shrubs which follow the shaped plants theme. The garden will also be home to two new plants that will be launched at the show and are exclusive to Hillier
George Hillier said: “We are delighted with Sarah’s design and all that it represents. The planning is now well underway and we cannot wait to see it all come to fruition in May!”
