2007 Garden Shows & Events

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Archive RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2006 - Review

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2007

‘Scent of a Roman'
Sponsor: Thorpe Park Developments Ltd, Leeds
Designer: Denise Preston, Leeds City Council

Forward thinking Leeds City Council return to Chelsea 2007 with a garden inspired by the past. There will be a strong Yorkshire theme, utilising local materials but the major source of inspiration is drawn from the archaeological and historical evidence that exists of a Roman settlement in Leeds.

Most people think of Roman gardens as being very formalised and ornamental but early examples did not follow this style and were in fact functional spaces designed for food production, entertainment and quiet reflection.  It is from this latter type of Roman garden that the Leeds City Council garden design team have taken their inspiration for Chelsea.

Plants used by the Romans for their scent, culinary and medicinal uses have been chosen and other native Yorkshire species will be interspersed with the Roman plants. Aged and distressed pillars and a meandering footpath leading through a series of terraces to a small amphitheatre will be set against a weathered stone grotto. The journey ends at the grotto – a cool, calming space for contemplation and worship. Beyond is a mythical garden on the fringes of  woodland.

The Romans introduced many plants into Britain including sage, thyme, cabbages, garlic and olives, all of which will feature in the garden.

Thorpe Park Developments Ltd., a state of the art business park providing a million square feet of office space in East Leeds, sponsor ‘Scent of a Roman’.

It is always good to know that a garden will be re-created somewhere else after the show and this one is no exception, as it will be sited in the city of Leeds. One of the key reasons that Leeds City Council, Parks & Countryside Service exhibits at Chelsea is to develop the horticultural skills of its workforce. ‘Scent of a Roman’ should certainly help them with that aim and we wish the team every success.

(top banner - A selection of images from RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2005 & 2006.)

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