The King and Queen have also visited Guernsey Clematis’ seashore-themed stand and Mr Evison has collected an award for the best exhibition in the Grand Pavilion.
‘I’m relieved and pleased,’ he said yesterday.
‘I think it’s the best exhibit we’ve ever done and others here have agreed. People have been very complimentary.’
This year’s exhibit is an imaginary Guernsey seashore scene, showcasing 2,500 locally-bred and grown clematis plants in full bloom on a 140sq. metre stand.
A cargo of brightly coloured clematis are depicted as coming ashore on 10 imitation boats across a sea of dark blue, mauve and light blue flowered plants, with white clematis flowers representing the surf.
Visitors are led through the display on a winding wooden walkway where boats are beached on sand, littered with local coastline treasures. Seaweed, ormer shells, drift wood, mermaid purses and pebbles from Perelle Bay are nestled on the ‘beach’.
Featured in the scene is a fisherman’s hut, traditionally-made Guernsey Willow fishing baskets and an old bench from Grow Ltd. Resting on the bench are a Guernsey jumper and a copy of the Guernsey Press. Crab and lobster pots can also be found along with a vraic pannier – something in which donkeys used to carry vraic seaweed to the island’s fields.
‘It’s worked out very well,’ said Mr Evison.
‘The atmosphere this year is buzzing and the exhibit has been very busy. Everyone is very happy.’
Mr Evison has been dedicated to searching for, breeding and developing clematis plants for over six decades and has cultivated young clematis plants on the island for more than 40 years. Having launched his own breeding programme, he introduced the first varieties which are bred and propagated in his Guernsey Clematis Nursery.
The range continues to expand – with three new varieties launched at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, which runs until Saturday.
Elpis has deep magenta flowering and it was launched in conjunction with Prostate Cancer Research and Male Uprising Guernsey to raise awareness of male cancers.
Clematis Bridgewater has lilac flowering, named to commemorate the RHS fifth public display garden in Greater Manchester.
The third release is Clematis Baroness Fookes, named in honour of Baroness Janet Fookes for all the work she has done in parliament for the horticultural industry.
Mr Evison said King Charles III particularly enjoyed the local entry.
‘When we said goodbye, His Majesty said “send my love to the Channel Islands”.’
Blue Diamond wins first Gold at Chelsea and tree of the show
Guernsey-based garden centre operator Blue Diamond has picked up its first Gold Medal at Chelsea this week, alongside recognition for the tree of the show.
The display in the Grand Pavilion includes plants never seen in public before.
‘We are immensely proud and buzzing from winning our first Gold at Chelsea,’ said managing director Alan Roper.
‘The enjoyment we all receive from participating in this amazing, best in the world flower show is worth its weight in gold.’
The best tree award came for its Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’, a Japanese Maple with unusual dark green crinkled leaves that grow in tufts on the branches.
Its foliage gives the impression of a lion’s mane.
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