A contemporary artisan garden inspired by British and Italian culture is to be created at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show by two local designers.
It will be the first time Ruth Willmott and Frederic Whyte based in Chiswick, both graduates from the English Gardening School have had their work on show at Chelsea.
With a record number of entrants to the artisan category this year they secured their place amidst stiff competition. Six of the eight successful entrants this year have had Chelsea experience before with five winning gold.
They are now looking forward to turning their unique idea into reality, capable of achieving the standards of the best garden designers in the world.
The duo run their own landscape and garden design company in Heathfield Terrace, Chiswick called Willmott Whyte. They are regularly commissioned for work across the UK and Italy.
Ruth said: “It is a great privilege to be involved in such an exciting event as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. We are delighted that our entry was selected and hope this is the first of many appearances.”
Frederic added, “We are particularly excited about our design, which combines the magic of historical Italian garden design elements such as stonework and water with contemporary British horticulture to create a modern and elegant external space.”
Garden design is a second career for both of them. Ruth worked as a management consultant and Frederic in academia before they met on the Garden Design Diploma at the English Gardening School.
Presenting to senior management at APCO Worldwide, Ruth and Frederic were also able to secure sole sponsorship from this global communication services firm.
The Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 22 to May 26 and the Willmott Whyte/APCO garden can be seen at SEW6 on Serpentine Walk.