Royal Horticultural Society You’re the only designer doing Chelsea and Hampton Court this year. You’re very brave… how’s it going?
Philippa Pearson At the moment I’m coping reasonably well, thank you, but some days I do get a bit panicky as there are so many forms to fill in and information to impart to various people. The timing is difficult. I’ve got so much to do for Hampton Court, and I’m going to be on site at Chelsea. Girlguiding UK is taking on some of the Hampton paperwork which is great.
My ears have only just recovered – they’re quite noisy!
RHS This is their Centenary Garden you’re designing for them?
PP Yes, it’s their first ever show garden and it’s been really fun planning it. I was appointed in August last year, so I’ve had time to really get to know the organisation. I attended lots of guiding meetings and got terrific feedback from the girls. My ears have only just recovered – they’re quite noisy!
RHS So the girls provided inspiration for the design?
PP I had a feeling about what I wanted to do, but they gave me long lists of ideas. Certain things kept repeating, so I incorporated these suggestions into the design.
RHS You’re an old hand at Hampton Court; is it going to be a doddle after Chelsea?
PP Oh yes, it’ll be easy, nice and relaxing actually! Seriously, both Chelsea and Hampton are high profile shows, equally demanding in their expectations. Chelsea just seems more so, maybe because of the extra media scrutiny.
RHS What do you enjoy about Hampton Court Palace Flower Show?
PP I love the site, the position, the location – it’s just fantastic. You’ve got Hampton Court Palace as a backdrop and wow, that’s where Henry VIII lived and I’m building a garden in his garden!