National Garden Scheme wins Gold at Chelsea Flower Show
21 May 2024
It’s a Gold for the National Garden Scheme at RHS Chelsea!
The National Garden Scheme Garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, brought to life by Crocus and funded by Project Giving Back has won an RHS Gold Medal at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.
Kendra Schneller MBE, QN said: “Incredibly honoured & thankful to be given the opportunity. The garden deserves Gold. It’s so beautifully peaceful & tranquil. Such intricate detail, colour, positioning of flowers & trees, you feel like you’re walking on air. Also very lovely to meet George Plumptre in person.”
Fawn Bess-Leith QN said: “Representing the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) and the National Garden Scheme (NGS) at the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show was indeed a golden opportunity. The blend of vibrant colours and refreshing aromas in the company of special guests, enveloped in glorious weather, was like apples of gold in pictures of silver. NGS aptly deserve a Gold Medal.”
“It’s a fantastic conclusion to months of planning. Working with the superlative team of Tom Stuart-Smith and Crocus has been hugely rewarding and the support from Project Giving Back has created a garden so worthy of Gold. It’s overwhelming,” said National Garden Scheme CEO, George Plumptre.
“I’m very, very happy for everyone who has been involved in the garden. It’s wonderful for the National Garden Scheme and wonderful for the Crocus team who have put all this together. The materials you’re working with are so extraordinary that it’s really nature and plants that ought to be congratulated,” said Tom Stuart-Smith.
Special guests in the garden pictured above include, L-R, Dame Mary Berry, NGS President, Rachel de Thame, NGS Ambassador, a Chelsea Pensioner, Arit Anderson, NGS Trustee, Queen’s Nurses Kendra Schneller and Fawn Bess-Leith, Alan Titchmarsh, a Chelsea Pensioner, Tom Stuart-Smith.
The garden with its woodland edge planting and artisan hut will be thrilling the public on main avenue and across the BBC coverage in the week ahead. For the full story, visit the National Garden Scheme website.
Notes:
Main photo: NGS/Julie Skelton