RHS Chelsea Florist of the year.

This year at Chelsea Flower Show, this year's theme was based on 'A day at the races'. The competition was set in two halves Senior and Junior, each competitor had a jockeys vest to design and build which was co-ordinated by the British Flower Association.
Some of the detail is simply jaw dropping !

My other contribution this year was to make this life-size 2D willow sketch of a racing horse to set the scene, here it is being hung from the grand pavilion on show build week and a few shots during press day.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2011.

Here's a sneaky peak at our tree feature in the continuous learning area based on the physalis (Cape gooseberry) form (Japanese lantern) as it degrades and exposes its berry.

I've created a 4.5 meter tall piece with a handsome canopy made from a combination of willow, steel and tissue paper, subtly illuminated with LEDs.

The project pulled in assistance from the whole family, my three year old daughter presented me with a real physalis stem last autumn "hey daddy, this is for you" and I hung it in my office and drew inspiration, my father in law volunteered his skills more than once, my brother in law helped out, my nephew (Rory) who is an electrical whizz, the wife and finally my Dad. It's a touching realisation that this is 4 generations pulling together, to help me achieve my goals, if ever there was a reminder of the beauty of families...

So onsite last week, I tapped up my friend from Kew, a flower show wouldn't be complete without help planting from Steve, we have ferns, foxgloves, scabious, grasses and lavender all set naturally beneath the foot of the tree framed by a lovely oak bench.

The show is on until next saturday and will be covered by the BBC.

I wonder what my daughter will find this year ..........