Press releases

Africa arrives in Tatton!

This year’s RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park is set to be influenced by the stunning flora of the African continent. Designers have taken inspiration from the dramatic landscape and exotic nature of Africa and are planning to create some spectacular gardens.

Former RHS Gold and Silver Medal winners Louise Ward and Lucy Hunter have joined forces to create an Art Deco-style show garden inspired by the multi Academy Award winning film Out of Africa. The film is set in 1914, the year that the Art Deco influence, famed for its eclectic style and use of primitive arts from Africa and Egypt, really began to take hold.

An elevated tree house with a dramatic light cascading water curtain falling into a plunge pool forms the centrepiece of the garden, with the falling water providing a feeling of seclusion for swimmers under the house. The experience of a secluded luxurious getaway in an exotic far off land is created with lush planting and a woodland canopy surrounding the garden.

Meanwhile Tatton Park’s head gardener Sam Youd has teamed up with Egerton School in Knutsford to develop another African-inspired garden. Named ‘Into Africa’ this garden takes inspiration from a school in Kenya.

The aim is to recreate an African school garden using a Masai theme, expressed through shields, spears and an African Hut. The planting will include traditional African staples such as maize and tomatoes.

Alison Hooper, head teacher at Egerton School, says: “By getting involved in the show we are hoping to build relationships between the two schools and educate the children about other countries and cultures. They will also gain a valuable experience and learn about gardening and horticulture, as they will be helping to put the garden together, and have already made some wicker African animals for the garden.”

The African school is part of former Tatton Park owner Lord Egerton’s estate in Kenya. Many of the plants have been brought in from Africa and will even include the Lord’s favourite roses.

In its eighth year, the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park is renowned for its avant-garde designs and fresh, young talent.  2006 will see the usual high standard of both traditional and contemporary gardens displayed.

Don’t forget you can now find out more about the show and buy your tickets for the RHS Tatton Flower Show online at www.rhs.org.uk/flowershows

Notes to Editors

For further information and/or to receive images of the show please contact Catherine Turner or Erin Portsmouth at Fido PR on 0161 274 3311 or e-mail catherine@trustfido.co.uk, erin@trustfido.co.uk.

• The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park boasts 26 Show gardens and more than 30 back-to-back gardens
• This year the show takes on a new grid system to allow even more room for gardens
• The RHS National Flower Bed Competition culminates at the show and features 23 local authorities and colleges showcasing the best in amenity planting
• More than 600 local exhibitors feature at the show in a number of exciting areas, including a double Floral marquee, the Floral Art Design studio, the National Plant Societies marquee and the Art and Garden Design Pavillion, sponsored by Côte d’Or
• Enjoy VIP treatment with friends or clients at the show by booking into the restaurant or even a private area while you soak up the atmosphere of the show. Prices start at £149. To book call 0870 421 4868
• Treat yourself or a loved one to a Ticket and Picnic Gift Box: priced from £95, each gift box includes a pair of tickets for the flower show and a luxury food and drink hamper to enjoy while at the event. To book call 0870 247 121

For further show information and online booking visit www.rhs.org.uk/flowershows.

www.rhs.org.uk/pressoffice

The RHS is the UK’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. RHS work includes providing expert advice and information, advancing horticulture, training the next generation of gardeners, helping school children learn about plants, and conducting research into plants, pests and environmental issues affecting gardeners.

An interest in gardening is all you need to enjoy being a member of the RHS. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk or call 0845 130 4646.

Founded in 1804, the Royal Horticultural Society is Britain's largest gardening charity and is committed to being the leading organisation demonstrating excellence in horticulture and promoting gardening. Renowned for its outstanding gardens and inspirational flower shows, the RHS is a key source of advice and information for all gardeners. It encourages gardening through its publications, trials, lectures, education programmes and scientific research and is home to the Lindley Library, which contains the most comprehensive collection of horticultural books in the world.

Membership of the Royal Horticultural Society offers many exclusive benefits including a monthly copy of The Garden magazine; free entrance to RHS Gardens Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in Devon, Hyde Hall in Essex and Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire; free access to a further 88 beautiful gardens across Britain and 20 gardens in Belgium and France; access to seeds collected at RHS gardens; free gardening advice and privileged tickets to 18 RHS flower shows, including the Chelsea Flower Show, the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.

For further enquiries about membership of the RHS contact: Membership Department, Royal Horticultural Society, PO Box 313, London SW1P 2PE; 0845 130 4646 Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm or via the RHS website

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