Fenland Alchemy at Chelsea

Hello and welcome to our 2009 Chelsea Flower Show website.

This year we are taking a very special garden to Chelsea - a Fenland Alchemist Garden. A theatrical garden that takes a light hearted look at the life of a traditional Fen Tiger who practices the ancient art of alchemy.

Ever since I arrived in The Fens in the late 50's I have be intrigued by its mystery. One of my first memories was of peat fires, their wonderful smell, and their almost otherworldly smog. The Fens are steeped in folklore, tales of witchcraft and alchemy. Our garden aims to feed the myths and magic of Fenland. Please take a look at our plans. And if you have any tales of Fenland alchemy, well we would love to hear from you.

In 2004 we took silver in the courtyard category together with the prestigious BBC Peoples’ Choice Award for designing and constructing The Wildlife Trusts' Gateway Garden. In 2005 we moved up to show category with The Wildlife Trusts' LUSH Garden. Desgned by our Principle Designer Stephen Hall, we were awarded a silver medal and took runner-up in the BBC Peoples' Choice Award behind Julian Dowle (Chelsea Pensioners' Garden) nudging Dairmuid Gavin into third.

In 2006 our designer Jane Besser won merit for designing and building the Foras Natural Materials garden. No mean feat when you consider this was Jane's first Chelsea show. You can listen to an interview with Jane on BBC radio talking about her experience at Chelsea at our Chelsea 2006 page.

Giles Landscapes are a family run business that has been established for over 25 years. The company is based in Welney on the border of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire and employs 30 people servicing a variety of clients, from domestic and property development, through to Government departments. An ever-increasing side of the business is in the area of environmental improvement. Recently the company has transformed 86 acres of former Royal Ordnance site at Waltham Abbey into an environmentally friendly park. For more information about us take a look at our business website www.gileslandscapes.co.uk

Hope you enjoy our website.

Roger Giles

Founder - Giles Landscapes