Chatsworth design wins Best in Show at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

A show garden following the landscape style of Chatsworth House has won top prize at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show.

Designer Dan Pearson took the Best In Show award for his creation which drew on influences from the north Derbyshire estate.

The naturalistic garden included materials and plants from Chatsworth and miniature interpretations of the ornamental trout stream and rock gardens.

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Produced in partnership with champagne house Laurent Perrier and plant nursery Crocus, Pearson took inspiration from the plans of 19th century architect Sir John Paxton.

A world-renowned landscaper and architect himself, Pearson was returning to Chelsea after an 11 year absence. He said: “I’m delighted to have won. The collaboration between historic Chatsworth and long time exhibitors Laurent-Perrier was a really exciting proposition for the 2015 show, and I’m delighted with the outcome.”

The Duke of Devonshire, whose family have held Chatsworth for centuries, said: “We are very pleased. Working closely with the team at Chatsworth, Laurent-Perrier and Crocus, Dan Pearson has created an inspiring space at Chelsea that truly captures the spirit of the historic Chatsworth Garden.

“Many of the plantings will return to the trout stream area of the Chatsworth Garden, so we are thrilled that the legacy of the Laurent-Perrier Chatsworth garden at Chelsea will live on for visitors to enjoy for many years to come.”

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The Queen and Prince Harry have been among the visitors who delighted in the recreated feel of wild countryside views with intimate features.

Chef and columnist Nigel Slater echoed the thoughts of many on Twitter, describing it as “Quite simply the most beautiful garden I have ever seen at Chelsea.”

The garden incorporates elements of Paxton’s rockery including a rock wall and rock stacks made from Chatsworth gritstone.

The planting, intended to reflect the “lightness, freshness and delicacy” of Laurent-Perrier, was also mostly sourced direct from the estate, including azalea, Rhododendron loderi, native woodrush and various ferns.

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The Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show runs until May 23 2015. Much of the show garden will then be moved to Chatsworth, where it will be used in a new regeneration scheme launching in spring 2016.

The garden took over a year to plan and produce. The painstaking efforts behind the design are detailed in a series of videos online at the Chatsworth website.