Thyme at Chelsea Flower Show
AT THYME
As you may well know, we have been hosting the fabulous Nature of Thyme exhibition of pressed botanicals by JamJar Flowers in the magnificent Tithe Barn during meadow season, in celebration of the beauty and simplicity of nature.
This partnership was born of a shared belief in the importance of taking time to observe and appreciate our natural world, and the life within it. We are thrilled therefore, that our flora-rich meadows are a source for the Bull Ring Gate at Chelsea Flower Show this year.
The installation will tell a story of pollinators and native wildflower species which inhabit the water meadows here at Thyme, and aims to represent the thriving ecosystem of nature by weaving in species from carefully grown patches across the UK.
JamJar’s founder, Melissa, shares a preview of the design for the gate. “A wild tangle of vines, rose hips and seasonal hops will clothe the columns of the Bull Ring Gate, which, along with handcrafted bug hotels with oversized bug sculptures will provide a beautiful gateway to the Chelsea Flower Show 2021.
Colourful planting of seasonal pollen-rich flowers like coreopsis, nasturtiums, helianthiums and rudbeckia will make an attractive and colourful entrance. The four gate posts will be underplanted with grasses and Gaura Lindhereimi.
In front of the gates on the roundabout, another structure of birch and willow 10 meters high will be the central feature. It will be surrounded by grasses with pyramids of yellow thunbergia with autumn planting which will include verbena bonariensis, dahlias, echinacea, helianthemum, helenium, Japanese anemones, cosmos, chocolate cosmos, helichrysum and rudbeckia.
Inside the gate, two wildflower meadows with pyramids of willow and birch structures will frame either side of the entrance to The Grand Pavillion, above which 5 sculptures of reed warblers will be ascending on their journey back to the wetlands of Africa.”
A sketch of the gate design, by JamJar Flowers
This spectacular artwork by Melissa Richardson and team will take pride of place at the entrance of Chelsea Flower Show from Tuesday, 21st - Sunday, 26th September on the grounds of The Royal Hospital Chelsea.
We hope to see you there, and that you might return home feeling inspired to create your own pollinator-friendly patch!
