Today marks the press day for the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show (21–25 May 2019). And the Duchess of Cambridge kicked off proceedings with a visit to her very own garden.
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The Duchess looked elegant and engaged as she met with show officials and local schoolchildren for some outdoor activities, including reed boat baking and marshmallow toasting.
She also met with award-winning Landscape Architects Andree Davies and Adam White, of Davies White Landscape Architects, who co-designed the garden.
Duchess of Cambridge Chelsea Flower Show
Located in a woodland setting The RHS Back to Nature Garden has been designed to encourage visitors from all generations and backgrounds to connect with nature and foster a love of plants to support their health and wellbeing.
Childhood memories triggered by the natural world also acted as inspiration for this unique garden, and a series of special moments created in the garden are set to leave a lasting impression on families.
The garden is central to the RHS’s partnership with NHS England – promoting the physical and emotional well-being that access to green spaces and gardening provides. And to further support this much of the planting and some landscaping from RHS Chelsea will go to an NHS Mental Health Trust as part of a national competition run by the RHS.
Commenting on the collaboration, Sue Biggs, RHS Director General, said: 'We could not be more thrilled, or feel more honoured, that The Duchess of Cambridge has co-designed our RHS Garden at Chelsea Flower Show this year, with Award Winning Landscape Architects, Andree Davies and Adam White.
'For over 200 years the RHS has been championing the power of gardening and growing plants for the environment, for health and wellbeing and to help people of all ages, from all backgrounds, to learn and grow. So to have The Duchess advocating this with us, and to be continuing our partnership with NHS England will, we’re sure, further highlight the powerful benefit that access to gardens, nature and growing plants can have for all our health and happiness.'
Yesterday (March 19th) the Duchess made a private visit to her garden alongside her husband the Duke of Cambridge and children Princess George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 4, and Prince Louis, 1.
The family-five-looked they had a whale of a time as they dipped their toes in a babbling brook, played on rope swings, explored garden dens and generally got back to nature.
The Duchess of Cambridge is a strong advocate for the proven benefits the outdoors has on physical and mental health, and the positive impact that nature and the environment can have on childhood development in particular. #RHSChelsea pic.twitter.com/MJPmbVkmICMay 19, 2019
“I really feel that nature and being interactive outdoors has huge benefits on our physical and mental wellbeing, particularly for young children.” — The Duchess of Cambridge #RHSChelsea pic.twitter.com/uDLOXQY8L7May 19, 2019
And for those who won't be able to make the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the good news is, is that The Duchess and Davies White will be co-designing two further RHS Gardens, retaining many of elements from the Garden at Chelsea.
These will debut at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (2 July – 7 July 2019) and RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, which will open in the autumn.
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Will you be attending?
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