John Woods Nurseries wins Silver- Gilt Flora at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2011

 

John Woods Nurseries, the Suffolk-based supplier of plants to garden centres and retail nurseries across the UK, has won a Silver-Gilt Flora award for its Fruitful Garden display at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

I love the Chelsea Flower Show and sadly will miss this year, I have been sent this news of a great Award given to John Wood Nurseries and I won't feel totally left out as I was sent  some of the plants that went toward making this an award winning garden. The hydrangea is stunning, large amazing pure white blooms that have lasted and lasted. I love the compact nature of the Diervilla and the glorious deep red and very upright Physocarpus.

I feel I have a touch of a Chelsea theme in one corner of my garden, well I can dream!

Hydrangea Bombshell

The Hydrangea Bombshell is a compact new paniculata hybrid, extremely free-flowering over a long period. This easy care shrub is perfect for today’s gardens being low maintenance and requiring little or no pruning to keep it compact and tidy. The long flowering season means it will make an eye-catching topical display. Hardy to -30°C. Eventual height & spread are 1m x 1m.

Physocarpus Little Devil

Bred in the US by David Zlesak, Physocarpus Little Devil™ (‘Donna May’ PPAF)

is a truly compact opulifolius form. With an eventual height of just 90 – 120cm, Little Devil is perfect for smaller urban gardens or where space is limited. The rich plum-purple foliage acts as a great foil to shrubs and perennials alike and the white-pink, button-like blooms in June add another season of interest. An easy-care shrub for gardeners of all levels. Hardy to -30°C.

Diervilla Cool Splash

 

Developed in the USA this is the first ever variegated Diervilla. Every garden has a dry shady spot that can be brightened with Cool Splash™. The crisp white variegation is eyecatching in shade but also thrives in full sun. Diervilla Cool Splash™ is related to Weigela and is hardy, easy to grow and keeps its fresh green variegation well into autumn. Tiny yellow flowers May/June. Height and spread 1x1m in 5 years.

 

 

Designed by DeakinLock, A Fruitful Garden - on stand GPE1 - forms part of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Four Generations feature, sponsored by The Sun. The feature shows visitors how to develop an existing front garden to grow fruit alongside existing planting with minimal fuss or outlay. Ease of maintenance and optimum use of limited space were key factors in the design.

The award follows a high profile start to the event for John Woods Nurseries, who also welcomed actresses Barbara Windsor and Hannah Gordon, broadcaster Piers Morgan and designers Zandra Rhodes and Linda Barker onto the stand.

Created for a theoretical end-of-terrace property on a new build development in an East Anglian town, A Fruitful Garden features reclaimed galvanised water tanks that act as features while collecting rain water for irrigation. The plot is bordered on two sides by a fence of reclaimed metal re-bar and timber posts which are semi industrial, reflecting the urban location. They also allow greater access to planting around the edges of the plot, making maintenance easier. A stone plinth provides seating in the garden while a high western boundary wall clad with pebbles and timber, reflecting the materials used throughout the property, and demonstrating how, even in a small space every surface can be used creatively.

Predominant colours in A Fruitful Garden are purples, blues, pinks, whites and silvers while hot spots of colour provide a simple and unfussy palate. The display showcases several plants from the John Woods Nurseries range including Alyogyne Magic Moments (‘Hutwow’), Physocarpus Little Devil™ (‘Donna May’ PPAF), Fothergilla Blue Shadow, Hydrangea Bombshell and two new additions, Carex Everest and Uncinia Everflame.

Speaking from the Show, John Lord, managing director at John Woods Nurseries, said “A Fruitful Garden aims to demonstrate to new homeowners that front gardens can be ideal places to grow fruit in a colourful, private setting without great upheaval or expense. We’re delighted to have won this award and look forward to another busy week at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.”

 

More information: www.johnwoodsnurseries.co.uk.