Members of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) are celebrating success as they showcase their exceptional talent with innovative garden design, landscaping and displays this week at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024. This year is hailed by the RHS as its most sustainable show yet, with all show gardens having gone through an environmental audit to reduce their environmental impact.
Over 20 of the prestigious medals were awarded to HTA and APL members, including the 2024 Plant of the Year Prunus 'Starlight', an ornamental cherry blossom tree with unique white star star-shaped flowers, which was supplied by member Frank P Matthews.
Nine London primary schools were invited to the show to award the first ever RHS Children's Choice Award, which was presented to the Octavia Hill Garden, a partnership of HTA member Blue Diamond with the National Trust, designed by Ann-Marie Powell with the Blue Diamond Team. The Main Avenue Show Garden was created to celebrate the legacy of social pioneer and National Trust co-founder Octavia Hill
Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA commented: "All APL and HTA members who built gardens at the show were awarded medals this year which is a fantastic testament to their high calibre work. We're extremely proud to see so many HTA and APL members highlight their exceptional talents with show-stopping gardens, blooming displays and dedication to environmental sustainability at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024. They really do reinforce the positive effect plants and gardening have on our wellbeing. This is a great week for our HTA and APL members with so many of them getting the recognition they deserve."
Show gardens
- Crocus - Muscular Dystrophy UK – Forest Bathing Garden GOLD and BEST IN CATEGORY
- Landscape Associates- The Water Aid Garden GOLD
- Landform Consultants - The National Autistic Society Garden SILVER GILT
- The Octavia Hill Garden by Blue Diamond with the National Trust SILVER GILT
- Landform Consultants – Stroke Association's Garden for Recovery BRONZE
Sanctuary gardens
- Conquest creative spaces – Burma Skin Care Initiative Spirit of Partnership Garden GOLD and BEST IN CATEGORY
- Gadd Brothers – The Boodles Garden SILVER GILT
Container gardens
- Wright Landscapes – The Ecotherapy Garden GOLD and BEST IN CATEGORY
- Andrew Ball MGR Changing Tide Garden GOLD
- Big Fish Landscapes – The Anywhere Courtyard SILVER GILT
- MAPL Sam Proctor Garden Design – The Water Saving Garden BRONZE
All about plants
- Atlantes Landscapes – The Bowel Research UK Microbiome Garden GOLD
- Big Fish Landscapes – The Pulp Friction: Growing Skills Garden SILVER GILT
HTA members exhibiting in the Great Pavillion were also awarded top Gold medals including Burncoose Nurseries, David Austin Roses, Peter Beales Roses, Primrose Hall Peonies, Raymond Evison Clematis, and Taylors Bulbs, and the Blue Diamond group of garden centres were awarded silver.
A 4-Star Trade Stand award was presented to the HTA and National Garden Gift Vouchers (NGGV) stand. The stand shows the benefits of giving the gift of gardening by emphasising the profound impact of gardening, highlighting the benefits for physical health, mental wellbeing, community and nature. With every NGGV purchase, not only do you gain access to a world of greenery, but you also contribute to the Greenfingers charity, creating magical gardens for life-limited children and their families to enjoy.
For more information:
Horticultural Trades Association
www.the-hta.org.uk