Nautical theme for Chelsea entry

2:36pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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WHAT do you get when you mix the blue sea with green fingers? Gold medals, hopefully.

That is certainly the aim for Hampshire's most successful horticultural team as they prepare to set sail for the world's best-known flower show.

Romsey's Hillier Gardens are looking to extend their record-breaking run of winning a gold award from the Royal Horticultural Society judges at Chelsea every year since the Second World War. And this year garden designer Andy McIndoe has looked to the sea for inspiration thanks to a partnership with another group wellaccustomed to success.

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Hillier's 2008 garden is being produced in association with Southampton-based investment firm Skandia, which also sponsors Britain's national sailing team, which has topped the medal table at the last two Olympics.

Some of the Hampshire-based sailors in Skandia Team GBR will even help build the garden before Chelsea from May 20-24. The plans for the exhibit, on the prestigious monument site within the show's pavilion, are still being fine tuned, but Andy's vision involves recreating the spirit of the sea and success.

Softly moving grasses, water, stone, glass, timber and sails, as well as plants reflecting the patriotic red, white and blue will be key to the garden.

"We've obviously got to associate the world of sailing, which isn't necessarily naturally associated with gardening or plants and the world of horticulture,"

said Andy, who is also Hillier's deputy managing director.

"I think it's lovely to have a real challenge and perhaps push the boundaries of what we do at Chelsea.

"The great advantage of designing a garden inspired by a world outside horticulture is that there is nothing to copy - you have a blank canvas."