The line-up of designers at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show suggests a blossoming youth policy. The hardy perennials are led by Alan Titchmarsh, 65, celebrating 50 years as a professional gardener with his From the Moors to the Sea.
But an unprecedented three show gardens have been created by designers aged under 30.
They include Vital Earth: The Night Sky Garden by Chelsea’s youngest designer David Rich, 23, and his brother Harry, 26. Their garden, which will be moved to Beechwood Autistic College after the show, is inspired by star constellations.
Hugo Bugg, 27, is competing against the Rich brothers with his RBC Waterscape Garden – Embrace The Rain, an illustration of global water issues which also shows practical solutions for dealing with storm water.
Twenty-six-year-old fine art graduate Kate Savill – an apprentice who works for the Homebase Garden Academy – has been helping top designer Adam Frost with his show garden.
She says seeing the designs “initially on paper and then to be stood in front of it is quite an honour – we’ve learnt so much”.
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