Life on the frontline in First World War was the focus of a floral exhibit in the Great Pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year.
Birmingham City Council joined forces with the Royal British Legion and the charity Thrive for the floral exhibit. The display featured wartime memorabilia as well as giant poppies and reconstructions of the trenches.
Pennard Plants also commemorated the outbreak of the First World War with two back-to-back gardens reflecting the times before and after 1914.
The charity Perennial, meanwhile, was one of a number of exhibitors celebrating milestones at the 2014 show. Designer Jo Thompson worked with Jim Buttress and Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants to produce a display to mark the charity’s 175th anniversary.
Jon Wheatley from Stone Barn created a floral spectacle to celebrate 50 golden years of South West in Bloom, and Raymond Evison launched a number of clematis, including one chosen to celebrate his 25th Gold medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2013.
New nursery exhibitors included Drointon Nurseries, with its contemporary display of Auricula primulas, Brighter Blooms, which made its debut with a display of Zantedeschia, and PW Bamboo, with a new bamboo exhibit.
The new Discovery area in the Great Pavilion was full of scientific and educational exhibits including a display about the botanical source of paper.
