Budding Creations


For University of Cumbria horticulture students Coralin Pearson, Margaret Archibald, Val Donnelly and Rae McNab, the road to Chelsea Flower Show–and a silver medal for their garden design Pottering in North Cumbria–was long and winding.


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The garden completely took over our lives for several months and there were days when we thought it would never actually come together,” admitted Margaret. Yet come together it did and in such style.


Praised by horticultural experts, admired by Prince Charles, a host of national celebrities and seen by millions of keen gardeners on BBC TV, Pottering in North Cumbria was a triumph of ingenuity, enthusiasm and skill and teamwork.


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We thought long and hard about the planting scheme,” explained Rae, as every single species had to be something that actually grew in the soils of North Cumbria.”


Above: Pottering in North Cumbria. The garden produced by horticultural students Coralin Pearson, Magaret Archibald, Val Donnelly and Rae McNab from the University of Cumbria


Opposite: Andrea Nixon alongside David Furnish and her winning design at the Golden Shears Awards where she won a ‘Rising Star’ award


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A tribute to the skills of the traditional potter, Pottering in North Cumbria featured a kiln and special glazed pot designed by John Stroomer.


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There was so much to admire in the garden design. Bobbing white heads of Allium ‘Mont Blanc’ complemented bulbous-shaped pots on the shelf inside the lean-to shed roofed with corrugated iron. Elsewhere, soft ferns and moss picked up the subtle glaze of the featured pot.


It came together very well but I think we were all surprised by just how much time and effort it took to have everything ready for the opening day at Chelsea,” said Coralin.


Newton Rigg technicians took several days to construct the garden which was entered in the Courtyard Garden section of the prestigious RHS event.


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Everyone is rightly proud to have worked together as a team and to win a silver medal was beyond everyone’s wildest dreams,” said Val.


The stars turned out in force for this year’s Chelsea Flower Show and included Helen Mirren, Joanne Lumley, Will Young, Rolf Harris, Sarah Green, Philip Schofield, Moira Stewart, James May, Sir Trevor McDonald, Stephen Fry and Lesley Joseph.


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