Bradford garden centre provides plants for landmark Chelsea garden
Tong Garden Centre has announced that it will source and supply plants for a unique installation at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show (21 - 25 May).
Botanical designer Zosia Berkieta-Lewis was introduced to Tong Garden Centre by TV gardener Katie Rushworth, who recommended the centre for advice and plants for LAND, a multi-sensory installation space based on the concept that nature inspires creativity and increases wellbeing.
LAND is a collaboration between Wakefield textile designer Laura Slater and founder of botanical studio The Plant Room, Zosia, who lives in Saltaire. The pair were invited to create an installation at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show on the back of their collaboration at the 2018 London Design Festival that featured their indoor garden and textile installation, engaging visitors with themes of nature, creativity and wellbeing.
Tong's Plant Buyer, Steve Smith has worked with Zosia to source plants for the garden that is inspired by Piet Oudolf's naturalistic style and will reflect the print, colour and pattern of Laura's textile collection, also called LAND. The planting includes grasses,Achillea‘Terracotta',Geum‘Lemon Drops',Cirsium tuberosumandSanguisorbaofficinalis'Red Buttons'to create prairie-style movement.
Tong's Marketing Manager, Jo Dales is delighted to support the project: "The benefits of gardens, gardening and wellbeing are well documented, so we're thrilled to be able to help Zosia and Laura create an oasis of creative calm in the heart of the bustling show.
"The space is designed to allow visitors to feel at ease with pausing. Unlike other gardens at Chelsea, people are invited into the garden and there will be seating and materials for people who would like to draw, inspired by the indigenous soft grasses and colour pops that bring the two practices of textile and botanical design together."
Commenting on Tong's generosity, Mrs Berkieta-Lewis said: "Laura and I are delighted to receive Tong's support and proud to include them among the many Yorkshire businesses who are collaborating to create this inspirational garden."
In addition to plants and textiles, LAND at Chelsea will feature sounds specially curated by Yorkshire sound artist, Alison Gilmour that will help people to focus when drawing and relaxing, plus pockets of a bespoke blend of natural essential oils from Essence + Alchemy that reflect the botanicals found in the Scottish landscape that inspired Laura's textile designs.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show takes place in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London from 21 - 25 May.
Ends
Photograph caption:
1. L - R Zosia Berkieta-Lewis and Steve Smith from Tong Garden Centre Zosia and Steve at Tong Garden Centre
2. The LAND installation at the London Design Festival 2018 Photo: Kristy Noble The LAND installation that inspired Chelsea
For more information or to arrange an interview with Zosia or Laura, please contact
Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on;
Direct line:01430 871360
Mobile:07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk
Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk
Notes to editors
- For more information about Tong Garden Centre, please visit www.tonggardencentre.co.uk
- Over the years Zosia and Laura have worked independently in their chosen fields, but came together to develop LAND in March 2018. The pair met when Laura exhibited at a Saltaire Arts Trail event at Zosia and husband Michael's home and their friendship developed through the SEEDS collective that Zosia set up for women in creative businesses to meet up, exchange ideas and experiences and to share food together.
- Three years ago Zosia Berkieta-Lewis, founder of botanical studio The Plant Room, became increasingly interested in wellbeing and making spaces that incorporated plants and nature. Fascinated with how people interact with and use space and by taking inspiration from biophilia and biophilic design The Plant Room make spaces with people and plants in mind.
The Plant Room's projects include Mary Berry's Country House at Christmas, Harvey Nichols and chef Dan Doherty, & Other Stories, Harewood Food & Drink Project, Leeds Central Library & The British Library, The Gallery at Munro House, Leeds Indie Food Festival and Northern Monk Brewery.
For more information about The Plant Room, please visitwww.theplantroom.co
- Laura Slater's clients include Tate, Heals, The Hepworth Wakefield, Harvey Nichols, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Nottingham Contemporary and John Lewis.
For more information about Laura Slater, please visitwww.lauraslater.co.uk
- For more information about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, please visit https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/about-the-rhs-chelsea-flower-show
- For more information about Essence + Alchemy, please visit www.essenceandalchemy.co.uk
- For samples of sound artist Alice Gilmour's compositions, please visit http://alicegilmour.com/music/
- For more information about Katie Rushworth, please visit https://www.katierushworth.com/
- For information about LAND, visit https://www.instagram.com/land_exhibition/
- Zosia also runs an independent branding and print design studio, The Archipelago with her husband, Michael Lewis. For more information, please visit www.thearchipelago.co