RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a hundred years old this year; and to celebrate gnomes are being allowed into the garden displays…They’re also being decorated by celebrities in aid of the RHS Chelsea Centenary Fund which aims to promote horticultural skills, apprenticeships and school gardens.
Statues of one sort or another have been part of the garden landscape since classical times and gnomes seem to have first been used as garden ornaments during the Renaissance. The word ‘gnome’ is probably derived from the Greek ‘genomos’ meaning ‘earth dweller’ and legend has it they can walk through the earth or soil as easily as we walk through air.
Garden gnomes were introduced into Britain in 1847 by Sir Charles Isham of Lamport Hall. The last remaining original can still be seen there; although he’s now inside and not on the rockery, which is itself historic, being what is probably the earliest alpine garden in Britain.
The “William and Kate” gnomes are part of this year’s RHS charity fundraising.
Officially the gnomes are only allowed at RHS Chelsea Flower Show for this year but they have been ‘sneaked in’ to show gardens before and no doubt garden designers will continue to be rebellious in this way: a grass roots movement you might say…
As for the photos in this blog, they’re a random selection of gnomes and other creatures that we’ve found or placed in our clients’ gardens. Oh and a model railway, which we havent done yet, but could be fun**
If you’d like Plews to help you with designing a garden with or without gnomes do get in touch.
** as of 2014 we are indeed designing, creating and refurbishing a garden complete with model railway – this will appear in the portfolio in due course!
Related Gardening articles you may enjoy from our Award Winning Blog
Evergreen Shrubs for Foliage Interest
What is Garden Design?
Garden Sundries
