Anyone for a Chelsea garden?

Thursday 04 February 2016

Royal Bank of Canada is trying to find a permanent home in the Channel Islands for their 2016 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden, designed by one of Britain’s most celebrated young garden designers, Hugo Bugg.

This is the sixth year that RBC has sponsored a garden at the world renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Each year, after the lights have dimmed on the show in May, RBC donates its garden to organisations that can provide a sustainable location to benefit the local community. Previous recipients include charities in London, Aberdeen and Gloucester.

For 2016, RBC is inviting organisations in Jersey and Guernsey to apply to receive the garden.

Chelsea 2014 Gold Medal winning designer, Hugo Bugg said: "This will be the second time I have partnered with RBC in presenting a garden at Chelsea. This year’s design, which reflects the importance and symbolism of water, draws its inspiration from the Mediterranean region. When considering where to relocate the garden, the warmer climate of the Channel Islands was felt to provide a suitable location."

The garden’s message of water’s importance is in keeping with the goals of the RBC Blue Water Project™; a wide-ranging, 10-year global commitment to help the world’s fresh water resources.

Stuart Rutledge, Chief Executive Officer at RBC Wealth Management – International said: "Since we began sponsoring gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show, we’ve been able to rehome our gardens to help benefit worthy organisations around the British Isles. For 2016, we are thrilled to be partnering with Hugo again and to be offering this unique opportunity for a local cause, school, or even a parish community site in Jersey or Guernsey, to benefit from the long term enjoyment of what will be a striking Chelsea Flower Show garden."

The garden, approximately 10m x 20m, has water as its focal point in the heart of the garden. Bright, yet simple, planting is coupled with bold geometric forms and a muted colour palette. It will include multi-faceted black basalt sculptural features, clustered together like water molecules in patterns historically and globally associated with water.

RBC is looking for a location that is accessible to the public, with the recipient able to help with reconstructing the garden in its final position. Any organisation that wishes to be considered, should email RBC Wealth Management’s Environmental Officer, Francis Binney, at francis.binney@rbc.com