East meets West for the first time at Chelsea Flower Show

'Through The Moongate'
Sponsors: The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) and
Bank of China.
Designer: Lesley Bremnes

"In discussing the Chinese garden we are touching on the essence of Chinese history and culture" The Chinese Garden, Prof. J C Wang, Oxford University Press.

This year international garden designer Lesley Bremness will bring a taste of the culture and heritage of China to London's Chelsea Flower Show for the very first time. 'Through The Moongate' is the first ever Chinese garden to feature at Chelsea and its aim to bring the wonders of Chinese horticultural heritage to the Western world is supported by its sponsors, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) and Bank of China.

Lesley discovered the philosophy of Chinese Garden Design while researching plants from around the world in 1987. She has subsequently spent 20 enjoyable years of study in the subject.

"Through the Moongate" aims to inspire western people to experiment with Chinese garden design and themes in their own gardens. Lesley's design will help visitors follow her own journey of discovery into Chinese civilization as so many aspects of the culture of China are interwoven into the fabric of the garden.

Her ideas are anchored in the advice of eminent Chinese advisors such as Prof. Wang Guixiang, at Tsinghua University, Beijing; Prof. Yu Shuxun, Consultant to Beijing Botanical Garden and scholars at the Needham Research Institute in Cambridge.

Sir Tom McKillop, RBS Group Chairman, said: "The sponsorship of ‘Through the Moongate’ is a unique opportunity for us to further demonstrate the commitment to our partnership with Bank of China. Chinese horticulture is rightly held in the highest of esteem in international gardening circles and it is fitting that one year into our partnership with Bank of China we are bringing the first Chinese Garden to Britain’s pre-eminent horticultural event , The Chelsea Flower Show. This garden gives us the opportunity to bring elements of Chinese heritage and culture to the UK and we are extremely pleased to be working with Bank of China and Lesley on this project."

Mr. Xiao Gang, Chairman of Bank of China, said, "Chelsea Flower Show is one of the most world-renowned and time-honoured flower shows in the world and shares the same perception of quality and development with Bank of China, which has itself consistently pursued excellence throughout its history of almost one hundred years.

We hope that 'Through the Moongate' will help our British friends to develop a better understanding of China and we are delighted to be working with our partners at RBS on this exciting project. "

Lesley makes a welcome appearance back at Chelsea - her debut garden was the result of winning a national competition to design the first ever herb garden at the Show.

She is excited by the significant education possibilities that come from the "Through The Moongate" garden. "Given the rising importance of China" she explains, "horticulture can be an enjoyable way for western people to develop a deeper understanding of China as a country that has an increasing impact on all our lives."