A stunning display showcasing the best of British flowers, plants and produce has not only won its 15th consecutive gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show but also won a royal seal of approval.
The display, a joint project between the NFU and Waitrose, was designed by award-winning florist Penny Riley who helped secure 14 gold medals for the NFU from 1997 to 2010.
This year’s stand, entitled “Waitrose and NFU: Championing British”, is made up of a series of pavilions: four large and eight smaller ones. At the centre is a kitchen and there is also an area of wild plants to recognise the commitment growers make to the environment There are also beehives, a watercress water feature and a patio area to represent outdoor eating.
Visitors to the stand during press day included the Queen, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and the Duke of York and his daughter Princess Beatrice who spoke with NFU horticulture adviser Dr Chris Hartfield about seasonality and how the use of polytunnels has significantly extended the British soft fruit season.
Other celebrities to view the display yesterday included former Beatle Ringo Starr and his wife Barbara Bach, actress Dame Maggie Smith and children’s television presenter Floella Benjamin.
Dr Hartfield said: “This really is a tremendous achievement and testament to the hard work that Penny puts in every year.
“Chelsea Flower Show is an ideal opportunity to showcase the best of British produce on a world stage and we are delighted that the RHS judges have once again awarded us with a gold medal.”
Waitrose buying manager for horticulture Sue Steptoe said: “We are delighted to have won a gold medal for our first joint stand with the NFU. We're committed to supporting British producers and this has given us a chance to showcase the fantastic produce that our country has to offer.”
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