Date: 24 May 2014
Originally published in: Shropshire Star (UK)
Written by:
Pop star turned gardener Kim Wilde was first to congratulate a Shropshire designer after he struck gold at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Richard Lucas, from Ellesmere, teamed up with The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction from Bowness on Windermere and Hooksgreen Herbs from Stone in Staffordshire, to design and construct The Peter Rabbit Herb Garden. The garden occupied a challenging island plot, so the design had to be creative to be able to be viewed from all four sides. And it worked – wowing judges and earning him his second gold.
The last time he won was in 2005 when he co-designed a garden with iconic 80’s pop star Kim. On that occasion both he and Kim made a clean sweep of all possible awards. Kim said: “Having worked with Richard before I sort of knew the high standards that he would achieve, however this garden completely surpassed my expectations, it is wonderful. Richard Lucas is one if the most inspired plants men and designers of his generation. The Peter Rabbit Herb Garden is a master class in perfection. It really is as good as it ever gets at Chelsea.”
Mr Lucas, 48, said: “It has been a lot of hard work over many months, designing, planning, and growing plants to be in perfection condition for the show, but to be judged by the highest horticultural authority in the UK and be awarded a gold is fantastic.“
