De Boer’s style and flourish set to wow visitors at RHS Chelsea
A flurry of activity is under way at
London’s historic Royal Hospital as De Boer personnel work their magic to
create stunning structures set to make this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show an
event to remember.
Having
cultivated an enviable reputation at the world-famous floral extravaganza over
the past 11 years, De Boer has expanded its structural repertoire with a
spectacular array of designs for the 2010 showstopper, which takes place
between May 25 and 29.
The
Brackley-based company has started building the show’s ‘jewel in the crown’
centrepiece, the Great Pavilion with its 12,000-square-metre floor space
equivalent to the size of two football pitches.
This
unique design, created by linking two large modular Delta System structures via
a specially adapted A-frame structure, has proved a huge hit with organisers
and exhibitors alike.
The
Great Pavilion will spring to life with a burst of colour from 100 stunning
displays of plants including a hundred maple trees, and exhibitor
blue-purple, compact double clematis.
Among
the pavilion highlights is the Continuous Learning section which has been
revamped by one of the world’s best designers, Andrew Fisher-Tomlin, to promote
the ‘Power of Plants’ through 11 displays depicting locations around the world.
De
Boer’s impressive Gala hexagonal tent pavilion with a high pagoda roof will serve
as the bandstand for the annual horticultural show’s live music and entertainment.
But
De Boer’s structural showcase doesn’t end there. The company is also
responsible for building structures for on-site catering and offices for RHS
staff.
At
Plateau Pantry, one 3m-by-3m Pyramid structure will be used for ‘back-of-house’
catering with a further five 4m-by-4m Pyramids at Creek Gate serving as offices
for show staff. For the catering area at Western Avenue Food Court, De Boer
will build three 8m-by-8m Chalet structures joined together in an “L” shape to
create a stylish hospitality pavilion.
RHS
on-site headquarters including offices and hospitality areas at North Front
Offices will be accommodated in a 600-square-metre A-frame structure.
Kate
Morrison, De Boer’s Key Accounts Manager, said: “Each year, the RHS Chelsea
Flower Show delights, amazes and entertains visitors with its innovative garden
designs and exhibits. And every year, we at De Boer revel in creating
structures with the wow factor to entertain event-goers while at the same time
meeting the needs of organisers and exhibitors. We are delighted to be involved
with this event for the 11th successive year.”
This
year’s event plays host to 600 exhibitors from all over the world including
displays, educational displays and garden product exhibitors.
Some
of the gardening world’s best designers including Tom Stuart-Smith, Andy Sturgeon,
Robert Myers and Thomas Hoblyn will showcase their talents at this year’s show.
Professor
Stephen Hawking, renowned physicist and author of the iconic book A Brief History of Time, is due to make
a guest appearance at this year’s event after being the inspiration for one of
the show garden designs.
The
Stephen Hawking Garden for Motor Neurone
Disease reflects the passage of time with a path leading past prehistoric
plants such as mosses and ginko biloba, roses and plants discovered by
present day. It is also expected to offer a glimpse into the future with olive
and fig trees if the global warming prophecy comes to fruition. In the middle
of the garden will be a black hole, a subject Prof Hawking spent years
researching.
The
RHS Chelsea Flower Show routinely attracts more than 150,000 visitors annually from
all over the world making it one of the must-see events of the year.