Beth Chatto OBE to be Awarded Iconic Horticultural Hero Award at RHS Hampton Court
Gardening pioneer, Beth Chatto OBE VMH, is to be named 2019’s Iconic Horticultural Hero at the prestigious RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival this July. Beth, who sadly passed away in 2018, aged 94, was the founder of the Beth Chatto Gardens in Elmstead Market and her “right plant in the right place” ethos has inspired generations of gardeners.
The annual RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival attracts thousands of people from across the world and as part of the 2019 festival (2nd to 7th July) the Royal Horticultural Society will reveal a drought-resistant garden in tribute to the late Beth Chatto. The garden will honour the hugely influential plantswoman as it champions her ethos of sustainable planting when gardening in difficult conditions.
Beth’s vision of sustainable gardening and “right plant in the right place” ethos is more relevant now than ever, with gardeners increasingly looking for drought-proof planting inspiration for their own gardens. Award winning Beth Chatto established her own gardens built on her “right plant, right place” ethos in Elmstead Market, Essex, in 1960. She won 10 consecutive Gold Medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show during the 1970s and 80s. Over her lifetime she published several gardening books, as well as writing and featuring in numerous books and articles, sharing her deep love and profound knowledge of plants and planting.
Her gardens and nursery are now one of the nation’s favourites and have influenced and inspired a generation of gardeners. They continue to grow and develop with dedicated and knowledgeable staff, many of whom learnt their trade working alongside Beth Chatto.
The drought-resistant garden being unveiled at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival has been designed by Beth Chatto’s Garden and Nursery Director, David Ward who worked alongside Beth Chatto for over 35 years, and features a range of drought-tolerant plants with the aim of encouraging the next generation of gardeners to consider a style of planting that will ensure our gardens are ready for the future.
David and his team will be on hand at RHS Hampton Court Palace over the duration of the festival to talk to visitors about Beth’s work and ethos, as well as offer advice about the garden and the plants on display. Visitors to the show garden will be given the chance to win £500 worth of vouchers to spend at the Beth Chatto Gardens and nursery.
Julia Boulton, Beth Chatto’s granddaughter and Managing Director of The Beth Chatto gardens, says: “We are delighted that Beth will be honoured at The Hampton Court Garden Festival. The festival is one of the highlights of the horticultural calendar and I think Beth would have been over the moon that she is being remembered in such a way.
“David and our team have worked hard on a design and planting style that remains true to Beth’s ethos of “right plant, right place”, and we are looking forward to seeing the display at Hampton Court. If you are at the event do come along and see us, look around the garden and find out more about Beth, her life and outstanding contribution to horticulture.”