First Indian garden wins silver gilt medal at Chelsea Flower Show

Wednesday 23rd May 2018 09:50 EDT
 
 

Chelsea Flower Show's first ever Indian garden was awarded a silver gilt medal, the second highest award. The garden features multi-coloured flowers reflecting “the vibrancy of India”, award-winning designer Eberle said. She added that she chose plants “associated with British explorers in India” such as Himalayan blue poppies and blue orchids to represent the colour of the Indian cricket jersey. Eberle had never seen a cricket match or even visited India when she designed the garden that features the first ever cricket-themed display in the Royal Horticultural Society event's 105-year history.

She said, “It was an extremely challenging garden from a design point of view. I never thought I could pull it off.” She found help from landscape students Manaswita Sil from Kolkata and Anuprathna Ravichand from Coimbatore, who flew to the UK and helped build the garden during its nine day preparation period. The British Council, which has commissioned the garden, will roll out a programme to schools in India from September, teaching cricket and dance moves to 100,000 pupils aged 10 to 12, to challenge gender stereotypes and encourage boys and girls to play together.

Alan Gemmell OBE, director India, British Council, said, “I think there is increasing interest in horticulture and growing opportunities for garden designers in India. For PM Modi, women-led development is a big priority. We want to use sport to encourage women to fulfil their potential.” For the uninitiated, Chelsea Flower Show is the world's most famous flower show when celebrities, the British royal, socialites, and gardeners come to Royal Hospital Chelsea to view a variety of gardens designed by some of the greatest designers and floral artists in the world.


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