The garden entitled “A Novel Approach” designed by Bournemouth Borough Council has won the national award at the Chelsea Flower Show for its flower bed exhibit today.
The garden has been given the award for producing the finest exhibit in display at any of the Royal Horticultural Society show events in 2011. This is the second time that the Council’s Park Team has won the Wigan Cup. Bournemouth won the Gold Medal in the same show in 2006.
This Victorian-themed garden has won the coveted Gold Medal and ‘Best Exhibit in show’ at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) National Flower Bed competition. Wining the new national award means the council has won an overall National Flower Bed display competition.
Nursery Manager at Bournemouth Borough Council, Chris Evans, who is leading the project with Cllr Rod Cooper, said: “Our flowerbed depicted Bournemouth’s fascinating Victorian literary heritage, symbolising light and dark, structure and chaos. We designed bespoke willow structures to create a Gothic arch and a giant sculptural Victorian fairy.” She also explained that inspiration came from local history, paintings and authors including Shelley’s poetry.
Cllr Rod Cooper, Cabinet leader for Economy, Leisure and Tourism said: “To be voted the best of the best out of all the Royal Horticultural Society shows nationwide is a testimony to the hard work and creative skill shown by our Parks Team. The flowerbed itself shows our wonderful literary heritage and is a credit to the town”.
Picture: Bournemouth Borough Council
