PRESS RELEASE

24 June 2007

Cheshire Wildlife Trust gets ready to put on a show stopping performance at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park
Wednesday 18 - Sunday 22 July 2007

A bog garden might not sound exactly what you’d expect to see at an RHS flower show, but this magnet for wildlife will form the centrepiece to Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s ‘Haven’ garden.

Although a bog garden does not have glamorous ring to it, with Britain’s variety of wetlands; lakes, ponds, streams, bogs, fens, mires and marshes, it is actually a very apt attraction. It also gives the opportunity to feature some of our most attractive wetland plants, such as the purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, which has tall spires of bright purple flowers, beloved by bees. Or there is the yellow flag iris, Iris pseudoacorus, whose bright sunshine yellow flowers and sword-like leaves make a strong architectural statement.

However, there is much more to this Back to Back garden designed by Jo Capstick and Nicky Saddington, which seeks to bring an ornamental flavour to wildlife gardening. This is achieved through swathes of blue and purple planting, including Agapanthus ‘Dorothy Palmer’, Pennisetum ‘Purple Majesty’, all chosen for their aesthetical and wildlife appeal.

These regal shades are set against a backdrop of timber sleepers, with more colour injected through the natural warmth of copper, which is used to add detail to the stone seating area.

“The idea is to deliver a contemporary interpretation of wildlife friendly gardening” explains Jo. “So for example, the neatly stacked logs under the seating area that we will be creating will provide a habitat for creatures such as beetles, spiders, centipedes and newts.”

The team from Cheshire Wildlife Trust will be on hand throughout the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park (18 – 22 July) to provide advice on how you can recreate any of the elements and ideas in your own garden, and maybe even develop your own bog garden.

Sue Tatman, the Trust’s wildlife gardening officer explains, “We see this as a showcase for a modern interpretation of a wildlife garden, which presents a streamline chic green space that still incorporates every opportunity for encouraging and nurturing wildlife.”

So whatever your question about wildlife gardening make sure you visit Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s ‘Haven’ garden at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park. The show takes place from 18 to 22 July and tickets can be booked by calling 0870 842 2229 or by visiting www.rhs.org.uk/flowershows

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