Yorkshire Dales show garden set for Chelsea
The sights, smells and tastes of the stunning Yorkshire Dales will form the inspiration for the Welcome to Yorkshire 2018 RHS Chelsea show garden, designed by Mark Gregory, who marks his 30th consecutive year at the prestigious show in 2018.
The area is known for its Wensleydale cheese, quintessential buttercup meadows and iconic drystone walls all of which will be authentically recreated at Chelsea to showcase Yorkshire’s beauty to the world.
The design will include walls crafted from genuine Yorkshire stone, on loan from the Bolton Estate, woodland, lush pastures, varied plants and flowers and a cultivated cottage garden. The garden will also have a stone bothy which has been converted into a craftsman’s creamery where genuine artisan cheese production will take place.
Mark points out that marking 30 years at the greatest flower show on earth is a significant moment for him and what better way could he celebrate than to return to Chelsea with a garden that has shaped him as a person: “Most people who know me, know how proud I am of my roots, so creating the Welcome to Yorkshire Garden is an incredible honour. I want to re-create the magnificence of Yorkshire’s landscape. It deserves to be seen and appreciated by the wider world,” says proud Yorkshireman Mark.
Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, says they are delighted to be back at Chelsea for the ninth year running, bringing a garden inspired by the stunning Yorkshire Dales to the heart of London for the world to see: “As well as showcasing the scenic beauty of Yorkshire’s many iconic gardens and breathtaking open spaces, this year’s garden will celebrate Yorkshire’s plentiful natural materials, traditional crafts and skilled artisan food production.
“We hope it will inspire those who see it, to come and experience first-hand everything our amazing county has to offer,” said Sir Gary.
During the nine years that Welcome to Yorkshire have exhibited at Chelsea, they have been awarded one Gold medal, six Silver, one Silver Gilt and six People’s Choice Awards.
Designer Mark, (pictured left) born and bred in West Cowick, East Yorkshire, has been at the forefront of the horticulture and landscaping industry for the past 35 years after training at RHS Wisley and studying at Askham Bryan College. He has personally designed four gardens at Chelsea, the last three of which all won gold in 2008, 2009 and 2010. In the last 30 years, Mark has delivered 157 show gardens and exhibits, with over 90 of these being at the Chelsea Flower Show.
We will keep readers updated on the progress of the garden in the run-up to RHS Chelsea and wish Mark and his team good luck in their preparations and build.
