Unearthing Chelsea Secrets
May 8th, 2024With less than two weeks until the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, we’re sharing more on the inspirations behind this year’s ‘A Roman Garden’
As headline sponsor of the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show once more, our teams are busy adding final flourishes to our most ambitious project yet – bringing history to life with the creation of a colourful peristyle courtyard garden within a Roman Villa.
Inspired by our own replica 4th Century Romano-British Villa and museum at The Newt, we journeyed back a little further to reimagine a typical urban garden that you might have found in ancient Pompeii around 78CE. Visitors to the Royal Hospital Chelsea are invited to immerse themselves in the colours, fragrances and planting styles of the era, while picking up plenty of modern day learnings – such as medicinal plant varieties and hardy species to future-proof your garden – from our Roman ancestors.
The Newt in Somerset – A Roman Garden has been designed by Katie Lewis, our Estate Architect and Stephen Herrington, our Head Gardener.
“Planting in the horticultural traditions of the Roman Empire has been a fascinating journey” explains Stephen. “Drawing on our team’s passion and expertise, we are aiming to convey to the modern visitor the sense of joy that the Romans would have derived through the scent and colour of their gardens.”
“There is much to learn from the Romans, who were early pioneers in creating beauty through the precise interplay of nature with architecture,” says Katie. “We hope that visitors to this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be inspired by stepping back in time with us.”
The Romans are Coming
Located in the main showground, The Newt in Somerset – A Roman Garden will follow the style of the 1st Century, maximising light and air within a compact space. Every inch will showcase the Romans’ careful eye for design and love of colour, aesthetics and ornamentation.
The peristyle garden will feature 1,600 individual plants of 13 different varieties, informed by the popular choices of the day. A mulberry tree will take centre stage, flanked by wild cherry and pomegranate trees on either side. Medicinal plants including chamomile and lavender have been chosen for their relaxing, soothing properties; opium poppy selected for pain relief; and thyme to relieve coughs, colds and infections.
From a decorative perspective, Roman sculptures will create a focal point, with fountains placed at each corner of the garden and braziers positioned at each end. The central garden will be encircled by a water channel, effective for collecting rainwater and irrigating the plants. The walls enclosing the courtyard will be decorated with frescoes typical of the period.
Step Back in Time at The Newt
As well as learning from the past, and inspiring budding horticulturalists of all ages to get growing, we hope visitors to this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be curious to come and visit our Roman Experience at The Newt. Inspired by the unearthing of a settlement on the estate around 351CE, our expansive reimagining of a Roman Villa sits alongside an innovative museum, which rests gently over the exposed foundation of the original villa, on stilts.
Villa Ventorum, ‘Villa of the Winds’ is as close to an authentic reconstruction of the original as we have been able to create. Connecting visitors to this important chapter in Somerset history, you can experience the sensory world of this Romano-British household, complete with the sounds, smells and sights of daily rituals.
The reconstruction includes intricate mosaics and frescoes adorning walls and floors throughout. Outside, a meticulously researched garden scheme features a Roman style planted flower meadow, water ponds, vineyards, pergola garden and more.
Heading to RHS Chelsea Flower Show over 21 – 25 May? Come and say hello at our Roman Garden and treat yourself with free tastings of Fine Cyder and Babylonstoren rosé, and special case prices, available all week.
