A container garden inspired by famed fossil hunter Mary Anning has won bronze at one of the UK’s most prestigious flower shows.
Garden designer Julie Haylock and her husband Andrew were first-time exhibitors at the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show.
Their exhibition titled ‘The Mary Anning Space to Learn Garden’ won bronze.
Julie Haylock, of Sandhurst Garden Design which is based in Yeovil, is thrilled to have fulfilled her dream of participating in the show. She said: "It was absolutely a dream come true. It was an amazing experience and one that we will remember for years to come.
"To actually have a certificate to treasure from the pinnacle of garden shows is an amazing experience."
The garden the couple created was designed for a small group of primary school-age children and used nature, fossils, geology and plants to spark and inspire their imagination. It was entered into the Container Garden category, which is for newcomers to the show.
On press day three students from Charmouth Primary School attended to take part in the photocall.
The garden was visited by celebrities such as Monty Don, Joe Swift, Ben Fogle, Elle Harrison, Geoff Brazier, Imelda Staunton, Jim Carter, and Jim Broadbent.
Elements from the garden have been donated to Charmouth Primary School which will be unveiled on Friday, June 23 for the school's open day commemorating the school building's 30th anniversary.
Julie added: "We had lovely comments about the garden and people seemed to connect with the idea the garden was a learning space and were keen to learn more about Mary Anning.
"The garden lives on at Charmouth School so they can enjoy it for generations to come.
"Thank you to everyone who made it possible. It was a huge team effort."
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