Once again illustrating that herbs are beautiful, as well as functional, Jekka was been awarded her 13th gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show! Our 'Medicinal, Mythical and Magical' floral exhibit featured a vibrant display of herbs, in an ellipse shaped garden with an 's' shaped path, creating a 'yin and yang' effect.
The sundial hare, (a collaboration by sculptor, Jeremy James and sundial-maker, Joanna Migdal) at the centre of the display, encapsulated the mythical theme. Jekka was born in the year of the Hare, and in Chinese Numerology the number 8 is considered the luckiest, which definitely proved to be the case for 2008!
We were honoured by visits from a host of celebrities, including celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, Lady Thatcher and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" Chris Tarrant.
As Jamie Oliver says of Jekka "If you want to know anything about herbs, she's the girl". Jekka has known Jamie since 2000, when she designed and planted his herb garden. This winning display also saw the launch of Jekka's new Red Salad Mix - a delicious new 'cut & come again' salad seed mix which is both visually striking and a delicious addition to any summer salad.
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2008 - Hampton Court - Jekka's Best Thyme at Hampton Court
As if winning her 10th consecutive gold medal at Hampton Court wasn't enough, Jekka also scooped the Tudor Rose Award for Best Floral Exhibit for the second year running, an unprecedented achievement. Thethyme garden drew the eye up to a Galega officinalisGoats Rue arch surrounding the statue 'Aphrodite', who accompanied to Jekka to her first ever Hampton Court .
A Double Flowered Chamomile path flowed from the thymes, leading to the delicate Origanum 'Kent Beauty'Oregano Kent Beauty, Salvia viridis var. comata Painted Sage, Echium vulgareVipers Bugloss.
We also took part in the Children's Trail at Hampton Court this year, with a 'touchy-feely' table of herbs at our stand. Both children and adults alike were fascinated to touch, sniff and even taste some herbs, and then try to guess which herbs they were. The firm favourites were Aloysia triphylla AGMLemon Verbena and Rumex scutatusBuckler Leaf Sorrel
