Largest plot at the show to highlight the importance of woodlands
The RHS Queen’s Green Canopy Garden, which takes the largest plot at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, will highlight the vital importance of trees and woodlands to the environment.
Towering green and purple woodland made up of 21 trees includes multi-stemmed Swedish birch, hornbeam and beech. The trees stand amid grassland and a wildflower wildlife-friendly meadow.
More than 3,500 plants will cover the 433m2 garden. They include Anemone September Charm, untrimmed box ball hedges and Saxifraga Kinki Purple for ground cover.
Queen’s Green Canopy Garden – ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’
Created by the RHS and The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), David Dodd designed the garden. It promotes the tree-planting initiative celebrating Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 by inviting people to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’.
The QGC wants people to plant trees from October, when the tree-planting season begins, until the end of 2022. Trees clean the air, slow the impact of climate change, create important habitats and improve our health and wellbeing.
The garden takes centre stage on the iconic ‘triangle’ position – a living picture of biodiverse regeneration. Three hay bale sculptures inspire thoughts of the countryside and the partnership that exists between nature and agriculture.
‘Tackle climate change’
Tim Upson, director of Horticulture Education and Communities, said: “Planting trees is something all gardeners can do to positively tackle climate change and help wildlife. By planting trees the UK’s 30 million gardeners can together, collectively create a legacy for future generations.”
Sir Nicholas Bacon, chair of QGC, said: “We hope the garden at RHS Chelsea inspires millions of people across the UK to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’. The Jubilee is an important event. In 2022, The Queen will become the first monarch in English history to celebrate 70 years of service.”
David Dodd said: “I have built many gardens at RHS Chelsea but this is the first one I have designed. I am so passionate about the message of the garden. I really hope it encourages everyone to get involved in tree planting. We can all do our part in creating better habitats for wildlife and helping fight climate change. Happily, October is the perfect time to plant trees!”
Queen’s Green Canopy Garden – replanted at RHS Bridgewater
All the garden’s trees will be replanted at the RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford after the show. They will create three new copses within Victoria Meadow as part of the QGC initiative.
Scout and Girlguiding groups, villages, cities, counties, schools, companies and individuals will be encouraged to plant trees from October. QGC will dedicate a network of 70 ancient woodlands and identify 70 ancient trees.
For the latest flower show news and to buy tickets, visit www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea.
