Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction scooped the Best Show Feature at the Tatton RHS Flower show, winning the prestigious award for the second time since 2014.
Inspired by the Year of the English Garden 2016, seven Cheshire Gardens of Distinction, together with horticultural students from Reaseheath College joined together to create a magnificent exhibit showcasing Cheshire as the Home of England’s Finest Gardens.
Adlington Hall and Gardens received a Silver-Gilt Award for The Hermit’s Garden while Biddulph Grange Gardens, Fryer’s Roses, Combermere Abbey Gardens and Reaseheath College all received Silver Awards for the creation of back-to- back gardens.
The display’s theme was English Gardens, with planting and design derivative from iconic Cheshire English gardens.
Many of the gardens incorporated features from their own gardens but replicated them on a smaller scale that would more easily translate to the average garden.
Some of the displays also sympathetically integrated historical features from their own gardens.
Chair of Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction Sam Youd said: “It was fantastic to see all the gardens coming together at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park to fly the flag for Cheshire’s gardens.
“We are delighted with the results and look forward to continuing to work together.”
Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction was formed in 2005 to draw together the best of Cheshire’s gardens and green spaces in order to celebrate and publicise the richness and diversity of the region’s rich horticultural heritage.
Chairman of Marketing Cheshire Clive Sykes said: “This significant win for Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction is a well-deserved triumph.
“They created an extraordinary show feature that depicted exactly what many of our gardens in Cheshire represent – quintessential English design and planting and a celebration of heritage and history.”
He added: “From grand stately homes like Tatton Park, Arley Hall and Lyme Park to winter gardens at Dunham Massey, secret gardens and Ness Botanic Gardens, there is much to be enjoyed. Our gardens are key to our tourist offering, driving visitors to the region and offering them a unique glimpse into Cheshire’s horticultural heritage.”
