Chelsea Flower Show 2014

For gardeners the Chelsea Flower Show is the most prestigious event to attend every year, whether you’re a flower enthusiast or you enjoy looking at the different displays of flowers, you will enjoy the Chelsea Flower Show.

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be one to attend as the RHS and show sponsors M&G Investments have unveiled the theme for this year’s show to be based around the century since the First World War. Two military charities are backing show gardens that celebrate 100 years since the war began and the designers who are helping to create the vision are all very young, several are under 30, which is the first time the Chelsea Flower show have seen this, as well as some familiar names attending.

What to expect?

Two new designers who are working with charities to create memorial gardens are Charlotte Rowe and Matthew Keightley. Charlotte, a designer based in West London, is taking part in her first Chelsea show in partnership with ABF, The Soldiers’ Charity, the memorial is called ‘No Man’s Land’, and  is inspired by the damaged landscapes of the trenches on the Western Front. Matthew is also new to Chelsea and is working on behalf of Help for Heroes; the garden will be called ‘Hope on the Horizon’. The design is based on the shape of the Military Cross; the medal is awarded to soldiers for extreme bravery. Matthew explained that he was inspired by the example of his brother who serves in the RAF regiment.

Although both gardens will recall the devastation of the war, both gardens are looking to represent the message of renewal and recovery; Help for Heroes will move Matthew Keightley’s garden after the show to their recovery centre in Colchester.

Birmingham City Council has joined forces with the Royal British Legion and a charity called Thrive to create an exhibit which will include lots of giant poppies and reconstructions of the trenches. They will also be a garden by Pennard Plants, which will also be commemorating the outbreak of the war with two gardens reflecting the time before and after the war in 1914.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show will certainly offer a lot to gardeners, service men and women, and the general public. Paying respect to all those who fought for our country back in 1914, but also respecting those who are still on the front line today.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show takes place on 20^th May until 24^th May 2014. Tickets are still on sale, so if you want to see these beautiful displays of remembrance, make sure you get yours today.

Published January 10th, 2014 by Jordan. Article ref 1995

Tags: 1914, Chelsea Flower Show, First World War, London, RHS

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