Fenland Alchemy at Chelsea

Hello and welcome to our 2009 RHS Chelsea Flower Show website.

Our Chelsea Flower show journey started 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.

However, 2009, has been a very special year for all of us, not only did we win gold, our Fenland Alchemist Garden took the prestigious best in show award in the courtyard cateogory. We are all very proud! Everyone at Giles Landscapes has played a part in this wonderful achievement - well done to you all! But medals and awards aside, what made our garden really specially was our theme, a Fenland garden, in fact, an Alchemist's Garden - a theatrical garden that took 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 people and 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 aimed to feed the myths and magic of Fenland. Please take a look at our website, and if you have any tales of Fenland alchemy, we would love to hear from you.

Roger Giles

Founder - Giles Landscapes