Chester well represented at RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park

Jul 14 2011 Flintshire Chronicle

The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park arrives next week and there are a number of local features for visitors from Chester to look out for.

A number of Chester-based gardens have been entered in the Back to Back category.

They include an entry from Chester Cathedral, the first year it has had a garden at the show, which is appropriate as it was 540 years ago this month – on July 26, 1541 – that Henry VIII signed the papers which made the old monastery into the cathedral church of his newly created Chester Diocese.

The cathedral choir and a musical and spiritual journey of Ascension provide the inspiration for The Psalm.

Biblical references and musical arrangements inform the style and composition of the garden, with swathes of clipped planting suggesting beat and rhythm.

A prayer tree provides the focal point of a design intended to create a place for rest and contemplation.

Podiums create stopping points on the journey through the garden, increasing in size and height as if stepping up into heavenly places, while music manuscript inspires the boundary treatment of the garden.

The upper podium will be framed with a sculptural backdrop representing organ pipes, designed by Chris Brammall.

Chester Cathedral has a rich and fascinating heritage and is a centre of excellence in church music. It plays a key role for the Christian community across Cheshire.

Visitors can also step back in time at Tatton with Dinosaurs at Large!. Chester Zoo’s garden is a representation of the environment and plants that existed when dinosaurs were said to have roamed the Earth during the Mesozoic era.

A young raptor can be seen taking a drink from a swampy pool, which is surrounded by a primeval forest, and the plants include conifers, cycads and ferns.

After the show the garden will be used as part of the temporary dinosaur exhibition at Chester Zoo.

Chester Zoo is the UK’s leading zoo, with more than 7,000 animals and more than 1.3 million visitors a year.

Mark Hargreaves has worked in the horticulture and botany department at the zoo for 30 years and Mark Sparrow has worked there for 12 years, having previously worked at Kew Gardens.

Both designed all three of Chester Zoo’s previous Tatton gardens, including the Silver Gilt-winning Butterfly Journey in 2008.

A Breath of Fresh Air is a low-allergen garden designed to raise awareness of respiratory diseases and provide inspiration for sufferers.

It has been designed by Sally Parkinson on behalf of Chester-based charity Respiratory Education UK.

A spherical theme runs through the garden representing bubbles of air. A variety of plants, herbs, shrubs and a specimen tree showcase the ability to enjoy gardening, or being in the garden, despite having respiratory conditions or allergies.

Using inspiration from the charity’s logo, the path and decked area provide a relaxing area for visitors to enjoy.

After the show the garden will be relocated to be used by respiratory patients.

Since changing career to garden design in 2006, Sally Parkinson has set up her own business, called Gardens & Spaces. She has designed courtyard gardens, herbaceous borders and created large gardens across Cheshire.

Respiratory Education UK is a charity whose primary aim is to promote excellence in respiratory care for patients and professionals.

The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park runs from July 20-24. Tickets on the day are £28. Call 01625 374400 or visit www.rhs.org.uk/tattonpark.