While Stuart-Smith’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 tranquillity and peacefulness with beautiful, shaded areas and soft woodland planting. I can’t wait to see it.”
NGS RHS Chelsea Show Garden Plant sale
Following RHS Chelsea, the NGS 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, buyers will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful garden at Chilworth Manor – a regular opener for the National Garden Scheme since 1933. Head Gardener at Chilworth Manor, John MacRae-Brown will be present and available to lead visitors on a tour of the garden.
Details of the plant sale and how to book a timed ticket can be found here.