Trainee gardeners from West Stow's Fullers Mill take on RHS Chelsea role

Trainee gardeners from West Stow's Fullers Mill are helping to build a show garden for RHS Chelsea Flower Show later this month.

Work on building the main avenue garden started on Tuesday, with Gary Bean and Jason Gotts – the Fullers Mill trainees – set to join more than 50 others spending 18 days turning the 22m x 10m space into a garden.

On May 17 and 18, Gary, from Mildenhall, and Jason, who lives near Norwich, will spend two days at Chelsea planting the garden.

Gary, 36, began his apprenticeship five years ago and is expecting his task at RHS Chelsea to be very different to his day job.

Having only watched the show on television Gary says he was grateful for the opportunity to get hands-on and behind the scenes.

Jason, 41, is eight months into a trainee position with Perennial, after starting as a volunteer.

The Perennial garden ‘With Love’, by designer Richard Miers, will be a classically contemporary garden in a palette of green with soft white and plum undertones, along with paving, bespoke seating and sculptures.

Carrying a ‘With Love’ message to the horticulture industry, the garden’s main avenue appearance is a first for both the 183-year old charity – which helps people working in horticulture and their families – and the designer.

They hope it will raise awareness of and support for the free information, advice and support Perennial provides people in horticulture and their families.

Fullers Mill garden is opened to the public as a fund-raiser for Perennial, formerly the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society.

Peter Newman, chief executive of Perennial, said: "This beautiful garden represents the very best of horticulture – art, craft, skill, collaboration and love are all present in abundance. We are very excited about how powerfully it will reach those who need our help.

"A show garden at the world’s greatest flower show is a unique way for us to reach an audience of supporters who understand the importance of building better futures for those who work in the industry."

The world-famous annual show, from May 24-28, attracts 157,000 visitors and 13 hours of BBC coverage.

A virtual walk around the garden is at https://perennial.org.uk/home/gardens/the-perennial-garden-rhs-chelsea-2022/