Chelsea Flower Show 2009

Hartley Botanic is delighted to be at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, in association with their media partners, Period Living, Britain’s best-selling period homes magazine. Working with renowned designer Philip Hooper, of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, they have created an integrated garden and interior, planned to appeal to gardeners and decorators alike.

The horticultural theme is inspired by the bi-centenary of Thomas Andrew Knight, a fruit grower and gentleman botanist, who moved to Elton Hall in Cambridgeshire, (rebuilt in romantic gothic style about 1760), when he married in 1791. For 40 years, he dedicated himself to horticultural experiments, particularly breeding fruit, including apples, strawberries, pears, cherries and plums. He had great success, especially with cherries, resulting in 'Elton Heart', named after his home, 'Black Eagle' and 'Waterloo' - said to have first fruited just before the battle. He also bred apples 'Bringewood Pippin' and 'Elton Beauty', and pear 'Monarch'. He was a founder member of the Horticultural Society of London, (which became the Royal Horticultural Society), and President from 1811 until his death in 1838.

The garden design will have a formal, symmetrical feel, with fruit trees, strawberries, evergreen shrubs, and lush ground cover. Internally, the main glasshouse reflects a loose interpretation of late eighteenth century style, with a nod to the gothic and Mughal architecture and decoration so popular the time, to tie in with the external theme. If you’re visiting Chelsea Flower Show, we will be pleased to welcome you onto the stand, number TR1.
With beautiful show gardens by international designers, a wealth of the latest gardening equipment and supplies, and the crème de la crème of specimen plants, Chelsea is the place to be.