Unearthing a different Chelsea story

Producing beautiful displays and introducing new plants to gardeners is one of the main focuses of the world renowned Chelsea Flower Show.

But perennial favourite Hillier Nurseries is adding another aspect to its display this year, combining a superb display of plants and trees with an inside look at a microscopic level at what goes on beneath the soil.

Hillier has won 61 consecutive gold medals for its garden exhibits and while this year's exhibit, the largest in the show, is expected to bring in number 62, they hope that visitors will be impressed and enthralled by the other aspect of the exhibit.

"Every year at Chelsea we look to bring something different to visitors," says Andy McIndoe, Chelsea Designer and deputy managing director at Hillier.

"And while we're unveiling six new plants and our Planting with Trees book, we're confident that our scientific element will be engaging too."

Throughout the week, Dr Graham Kinsey from Germains, a seed technology company, will be using a microscope to show a live display on a large screen of the millions of micro-organisms that are living and active in the soil.

And helping explain the story will be fellow microbiologist, Dr Linda Thomas from Yakult, the probiotic drink company.

"Prior to joining Germains I worked closely with Dr Julian Kenyon at the Dove Clinic on his garden," says Graham.

Julian is a keen gardener and had started to become involved with Hillier Nurseries through a partnership at the Chelsea Flower Show."

The concept of good and bad bacteria in our bodies has become more familiar to people since the advent of probiotic drinks," says Graham.

"However, we thought that people might not be as aware of the millions of soil microbes and their activities, and that Chelsea would provide the perfect opportunity for people to see some of these. We hope to help people understand how soil micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoa and others) can work in close relationship with plant roots, aiding their development and their ability to absorb water and nutrients.

It is this level of innovative ideas that pitches Hillier Nurseries above many of the other exhibitors at Chelsea.

The company has an unrivalled record of winning Chelsea Gold medals – and has been successful each year, since the Second World War.

While Andy McIndoe can only take credit for the last 16 years, his enthusiasm for the show knows no bounds.

"No matter how many times one works on an exhibit, there is always something new - a different way of putting plants together, a different way of using a plant," he says.

"It's been the secret to our success – let's hope it continues."