Frozen in time... giant ice cube to star at Chelsea Flower Show
IT CAN certainly lay claim to being the coolest exhibit at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.
But this bizarre 15-ton ice cube is a far cry from the beautiful gardens and plants the event is known for. The Plantman’s Ice Garden – which will be 3m (10ft) wide and tall – will melt during the five-day show to highlight global warming.
It is one of several centrepieces accepted for this year’s event with a strong element of social commentary behind the creation.
Designer John Warland said it will ‘raise awareness of the scale of permafrost loss in the Arctic regions’. He added: ‘There aren’t huge populations in the Arctic and it doesn’t hit a lot of headlines at the moment.’
Mr Warland said the Arctic continues to warm at two to three times the global rate, with all summer ice expected to disappear by 2042.
Another garden grappling with contemporary themes will be a ‘brownfield’ garden highlighting plants that can grow on the polluted earth of former industrial sites.
And a rewilding garden will bring attention to the positive effects of reintroducing wild animals to rural landscapes. The flower show will open on Tuesday, May 24.