April 2018
This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show will feature a truly special display commissioned to celebrate the Royal Wedding and Hillier has been selected to create it.
“A Royal Celebration by Hillier” will welcome visitors to the Great Pavilion at this year’s show. At the heart of the entrance will be impressive corten-steel staircases adorned with beautifully royal-themed floral displays to welcome visitors. Seeing as Hillier is the UK’s largest grower of semi-mature trees, it is no surprise that the entrance exhibit will feature Hillier trees on either side, selected from the 750,000 trees that the company grows at any one time at its Hampshire nursery.
The final design for ‘A Royal Celebration by Hillier’
The grand entrance is designed by Sarah Eberle, who is also designing the main Hillier garden within the Pavilion. This stunning display will celebrate the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which takes place on the weekend that Chelsea begins and visitors will discover a variety of regally themed plants, a celebration of love and a proud appreciation of everything gardening.
Although Hillier holds the title for being the most successful exhibitor in Chelsea history, having received 72 consecutive gold medals, this is the first time that the company, as a stalwart of Chelsea, has been involved in an installation in the wider showground, away from its own garden.
Hillier and Sarah Eberle have chosen planting that takes on a bridal theme, with lots of white florals selected. Colour is added to the scheme with flowers that have been chosen for their regal names; some of the stars include Lavendula Regal Splendour, Cotinus Royal Purple, Agapanthus Bridal Bouquet, Lavendula Tiara, as well as Hydrangea Kanmara Champagne for a real celebration!
Lavandula Regal Splendour, one of the plants being used for ‘A Royal Celebration by Hillier’
Lavandula Tiara, one of the plants being used for ‘A Royal Celebration by Hillier’
Sarah Eberle commented: “Whilst most people will be glued to their TV watching the Royal Wedding we’ll be putting the finishing touches to the gardens ready for opening. It is an absolute privilege to be able to create the display in honour of the Royal Wedding and to expand our Chelsea repertoire beyond the main Hillier exhibit. Fingers crossed we get a few spare moments on the Saturday to break from building to watch the nuptials!”
Agapanthus Bridal Bouquet, one of the plants being used for ‘A Royal Celebration by Hillier’
Continus Royal Purple, one of the plants being used for ‘A Royal Celebration by Hillier’
The elegant staircases embrace the same elements as the main Hillier exhibit and give people a taste of what is to come in the “Stihl inspiration” garden within the Pavilion. The corten-steel staircases resonate with the theme of the main garden, and the love of everything gardening is celebrated with the staircases being adorned with a display of gardening accessories, including pots, plants, tools, lanterns and candles.
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