Nordic landscape for Viking Chelsea Garden

Viking Cruises will be returning to the 2018 RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the sixth time with an artisan garden designed by talented designer Paul Hervey-Brookes.

The Viking Cruises Wellness Garden‘ is inspired by the great outdoors, which plays a profound role in the life of Scandinavians, it draws on the Nordic landscape and celebrates the deep connection between nature and wellbeing. Eating well, living well and the idea of balance brought about by interacting with the landscape and living in harmony with nature, will be key elements to the design.

The garden provides a sanctuary for both body and mind, a connection that is at the heart of the design of Viking’s ships, which are filled with natural light and large spaces, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of the world’s rivers and oceans.

Paul (pictured left) incorporates wood, stone and other natural elements into the design with the primary material being Norwegian pine, which is used in the construction of the sauna, a garden bench and floating boardwalks.

The garden also draws inspiration from the rejuvenating powers of the Nordic bathing ritual with a plunge pool that adds to the design and demonstrates the link between inner well-being and the ritual of bathing.

Paul will also use indigenous Scandinavian plants such as Sorrel, Rumex Acetosa, Wild Onion, Allium Scorodoprasm and Goosefoot, selected for their historical herbal and culinary uses to illustrate the connection between ancient cooking techniques and modern-day cuisine.

Other herbaceous woody plants will include Morus Alba, the Mulberry, Galium Ordoratum, White Flowering Woodruff and Angelica, which are known for their health enhancing properties.

Commenting on the design, Paul Hervey-Brookes said; “For the Viking Wellness Artisan Garden design, I have selected plants that are important to the lifecycle of people in Scandinavia.   This garden has an important narrative – one of living well, being in balance with our surroundings and one of how we interact with the landscape.  Importantly, it shows the clear and defining link between Viking and the Nordic countries that it draws influence from.”

Impressions of Scandinavia have influenced the design of the sponsor’s river and ocean ships since their launch in 1997, where the themes, colours and textures of nature contribute to the serene on-board ambience and experience.

The Artisan Category at RHS Chelsea Flower Show is always popular with show visitors and we feel sure that Paul will delight us with his Nordic design.

Picture credits: ©Viking Cruises/Paul Hervey-Brookes