A Royal Garden Designed to Spark Curiosity
A unique garden designed to inspire people’s curiosity about gardening and nature has received royal approval. This special project, known as the Curious Garden, is set to be one of the highlights at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show. The King, accompanied by notable figures such as Sir David Beckham, Alan Titchmarsh, and garden designer Frances Tophill, visited his Highgrove residence in Gloucestershire to finalize the details of this innovative display.
The garden, created by Ms. Tophill, has been supported by Charles, who is an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, as well as Sir David and Alan Titchmarsh, both of whom are ambassadors for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the King’s Foundation. Their combined expertise has contributed significantly to the garden’s design.
During their meeting at Highgrove, it was decided that the garden will include a beehive, inspired by the King and Sir David’s shared interest in beekeeping and honey production. This beehive will be placed alongside other features, including an oak building that serves as a “museum of curiosities” and seven raised beds symbolizing Sir David’s iconic number 7 shirt from his time with Manchester United and the England team.
The garden will also showcase delphiniums, one of the King’s favorite flowers, and roses named after the three champions involved in the project. In a video clip, Sir David is seen discussing the “very special” Sir David Beckham rose, which was named after him by his teenage daughter Harper for his 50th birthday.
As they sit around a table to discuss the designs, the King asks about the bloom, saying, “What colour is that?” Sir David explains that it is white and mentions that it was a gift from his daughter. The King responds with enthusiasm, and Sir David adds that she organized the gift, making it very special.
When the King asks if it smells, Sir David quips, “It smells amazing, amazing. Not as good as yours,” prompting laughter from the King. The King’s Rose is a pink and white striped English shrub rose with a subtle fresh red apple and rosewater fragrance, while the one named after Titchmarsh is pink. Titchmarsh humorously notes that it is pink with a peony-shaped flower, but admits he has a slightly weak neck, adding, “If you prune me hard, I’m quite… It’s true actually, yeah really.”
There may even be gnomes in the garden, as the RHS has lifted its ban on these ornamental figures for only the second time in history. This nod to tradition at Highgrove, where gnomes are often found in the stumpery, will see celebrities decorating gnomes that will be auctioned off to raise funds for the RHS’s campaign for school gardening.
Sir David expressed his excitement about working on the curious garden, stating, “It’s been fun to be a part of creating the Curious Garden and I’m excited for people to see it at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.” He emphasized the importance of supporting green spaces across the UK through the efforts of the King’s Foundation and the RHS.
Titchmarsh added, “Curiosity is really the beginning of any gardening journey – and certainly that’s how I began my career – so I hope this work inspires a new generation of gardeners to explore their talents through the incredible training and work experience schemes available via the RHS and The King’s Foundation.”
Garden trainees and apprentices from both RHS Wisley gardens and Highgrove Gardens have been involved in the project and will assist in constructing the garden at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. During the meeting, the King heard from trainees about their involvement in the project.
Ms. Tophill expressed her excitement about sharing the curious garden, calling it a special design. She mentioned how inspiring it was to spend time at Highgrove and learn more about the King’s approach to gardening and his Harmony philosophy, which she incorporated into the garden’s design.
