Established in 1901, the family run Frank P Matthews is one of the largest tree nurseries in the UK. They grow over 600,000 container grown and bare root, fruit and ornamental trees every year for supply into garden centres, nurseries, mail order companies and commercial growers.
Exhibiting for the first time at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the tree nursery will present a specialist exhibit dedicated to the beauty of the blossom of a single genus – Malus. The exhibit will highlight the striking diversity of Malus species, showcasing their rich palette of flower colours, unique leaf shapes, and varied tree forms.
Commonly known as crab apples, Malus trees are often overlooked for their beautiful blossom and considered solely for their fruiting habit, yet they offer a wide range of colours, flowers, and fruits. From small, showy trees to larger, majestic specimens, these trees can play a vital role in creating vibrant, pollinator-friendly gardens, producing vital food sources over two seasons, providing pollen and acting as natural bird feeders in the Autumn.
“Ornamental Malus trees are often underestimated in the garden, but they bring so much to the table with their beautiful blooms, rich colours, and great ecological benefits. We’re excited to bring them to the forefront at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2025, and showcase how versatile these trees really are,” said Stephanie James Dunn, Sales Director at Frank P Matthews.
Highlighting the artistry of formal trained fruit trees, the exhibit will also include trained apple and pear trees. Formal training has been a popular gardening technique in the UK for many decades, but often seen as complex and challenging to maintain. By means of their exhibit, the nursery aims to demonstrate how it can be both creative and manageable, enhancing even the smallest of gardens.
“These trained apple and pear trees are not only functional and productive but can also be works of art in the garden. We hope to inspire visitors to see how these trees can add character, beauty, and structure to their spaces no matter the size,” said Nick Dunn, Third Generation at Frank P Matthews.
For their exhibit, which will be located in the Great Pavilion (GPD075) the nursery will be working in collaboration with a group of Herefordshire based businesses, such as Edward Bulmer Paints, Tom’s Yard, Melcourt Industries, Border Oak and Plant Supports.
