The National Garden Scheme Garden brought to life ahead of RHS Chelsea
News update 27 February 2024
A new perspective of Tom Stuart-Smith’s design for The National Garden Scheme Garden at RHS Chelsea bringing the garden to life in full colour has been released. While Tom’s original signature sketches beautifully illustrate the flow and mood of the garden, the new perspective gives the colour palette and woodland planting to whet show goers appetites as we head toward the international show in London this May.
Commenting on the image, Tom Stuart-Smith says: “It is great to share the scale and sculptural forms of our five Hazels (Corylus avellana) that make the Hazel grove of the garden under which our herbaceous layer is planted. Their large canopies spread up to 6 metres to create a sense of a green, calm refuge across the garden, inviting the visitor to wander the charming winding paths leading to our volunteer hut in the woods.”
National Garden Scheme Ambassador, TV presenter and garden designer Rachel de Thame adds: “I’m incredibly excited by The National Garden Scheme Garden that Tom is designing for main avenue this year which is fully funded by Project Giving Back. The importance of the garden’s legacy at a new Maggie’s centre at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridgeshire is all important, so it’s lovely to see that it all about health and wellbeing, a space of tranquility and peacefulness with beautiful, shaded areas and soft woodland planting. I can’t wait to see it.”
About The National Garden Scheme Garden at RHS Chelsea 2024
Designed by eight times Chelsea Gold Medal winner, Tom Stuart-Smith, The National Garden Scheme Garden for the National Garden Scheme is fully funded by Project Giving Back and will be relocated to form part of the new garden at Maggie’s at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
Tom Stuart-Smith has opened his own garden, The Barn at Serge Hill in Hertfordshire for the National Garden Scheme for thirty years and fully embraces the spirit of generosity that is exemplified by the charity. This ethos has been woven into the Show Garden with other National Garden Scheme garden owners supplying plants and volunteering during the week of the show, sharing their expert knowledge of plants and passion for the charity with a global audience.
The Barn opens for the National Garden Scheme on Sunday 2nd June alongside Serge Hill and, for the first time in 2024, The Plant Library, part of the Serge Hill Project, a not-for-profit, set up by Sue and Tom Stuart-Smith in 2023. For details CLICK HERE
Plant sale on Saturday 1st June gives the chance to own a part of the garden
Following RHS Chelsea, the National Garden Scheme will be selling a selection of woodland perennials from the show garden at Chilworth Manor in Surrey. The plants have been specially selected by award-winning garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith and Peter Clay, co-founder of the renowned online nursery Crocus.
With the relocation of the garden to Maggie’s not taking place immediately, the perennials need new homes and will be sold in support of the charity. In addition to the wide range of plants and the expert horticultural advice from National Garden Scheme volunteers, buyers will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful garden at Chilworth Manor – a regular opener for the National Garden Scheme since 1933 – and enjoy delicious homemade tea and cakes in the walled garden. Head Gardener at Chilworth Manor, John MacRae-Brown will also be available to lead visitors on a tour of the garden at 1pm.
For more details and to book a timed ticket slot CLICK HERE
FOR FULL DETAILS AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME GARDEN CLICK HERE
