12/05/2008
Liverpool to take on Chelsea
Liverpool is preparing to exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the first time in nearly 40 years.
Entitled Mr Roscoe's Garden, the design for Liverpool's Chelsea exhibit is inspired by William Roscoe, who founded Liverpool's Botanical Collection in 1803. Acknowledged as one of the city's greatest sons, Roscoe's passion for plants ensured that Liverpool's Botanical Collection acquired international significance, and the collection remains one of the largest of its kind in civic ownership.
Roscoe himself will play a starring role in the garden - played by actor Mark Smith.
Councillor Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool city council and deputy chair of the Liverpool Culture Company, said: "The Liverpool Botanical Collection is truly one of the jewels in the city's crown, and I am delighted that after a gap of nearly four decades it will once again go on display at one of the world's most important horticultural events.
"The collection was established at a time of great prosperity for Liverpool, so it is only fitting that its re-emergence comes as we enter a new period in the city's history; ushered in by our European Capital of Culture celebrations."
The city's appearance at Chelsea is one of the outputs of Fragrant, a major artistic highlight of European Capital of Culture 2008, led by international visual artist Jyll Bradley. The Liverpool Culture Company commissioned Jyll to work as 'artist in residence' at the city's Botanical Collection during 2007 and 2008 to uncover its 200-year-old history for the first time.
Bryan Gray, chairman of the Liverpool Culture Company said: "Fragrant is a key commission for 2008 and we are delighted that the project will be travelling to Chelsea.
"The show attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year so taking part will generate important exposure for both Fragrant and the city as a whole."
Central to Liverpool's Chelsea exhibit will be a small greenhouse, emulating Liverpool's first botanic garden. Inside the structure will be a selection of Roscoea plants - the Himalayan genus named after Roscoe by James E. Smith, founder of The Linnean Society. The planting used in the exhibit will be naturalistic - a historic characteristic of Liverpool's Botanical Collection - and will include the much-famed Orchids, Bromeliads and Ferns; plants from Liverpool's current National Collections; and economic plants, which Roscoe cultivated in an effort to find new ways to feed the world and create prosperity for Liverpool and beyond.
Jyll Bradley developed the initial concept for the garden, she said: "For me, Liverpool's Botanical Collection poignantly reflects the city's changing fortunes; a rollercoaster of highs and lows.
"It has been a privilege to discover its incredible story and meet so many fantastic people on the way - each with their own tale to tell. Making this garden has been a true team effort. I hope we do Mr Roscoe proud!"
The exhibit will include plants which have played a significant role in the Botanical Collection's history, some of which have not actually been part of the collection for a number of years, so staff in Liverpool's Parks and Environment Service have enlisted the support of their counterparts in other gardens to help re-introduce species.
Liverpool has previously exhibited at Chelsea six times - 1955, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1967 and 1970. In 1960, 1962 and 1965 the city won Gold Medals.
After Chelsea, Mr Roscoe's Garden will return to the north west, visiting the Bluecoat, Liverpool (June 19 - 22); The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park, Cheshire (July 23 - 27); and Southport Flower Show (August 21 - 24). Fragrant will culminate in September with the publication of a special book and accompanying photographic exhibition by Jyll Bradley at Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery.
The Chelsea Flower Show, London, May 20 to 24.
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