Witan Investment Trust opens Global Growth Show Garden at RHS Flower Show
Friday, 01 July 2016
Witan Investment Trust plc (‘Witan’) will open the Global Growth Show Garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show on Monday, demonstrating that after dramatic events of the past week, growth is still possible in the post-referendum world.
Over 1,500 plants and 80 linear metres of oak will feature in the garden, which will open at the Monday preview of the Flower Show and to general ticket holders for the duration of the show, which runs from Tuesday 5th to Sunday 10th July 2016 and is the largest flower show in the world.
The Garden, designed by Jane Bailey and inspired by the Witan Global Growth Vegetable Garden Project at RHS Hyde Hall (opening Spring 2017), seeks to demonstrate the fabulous selection of edible plants from the world over that can be grown in the UK. Many of which will be familiar but that visitors may not have realised were edible.
Derived from the circular nature of the garden at RHS Hyde Hall, the design is formed around a double helical path along which the visitor will travel, experiencing the colours, scents and textures of a visually striking and yet edible garden. At the centre of the garden is a sculpture formed of steel leaves shaped into a globe, designed by Paul Richardson.
Witan is one of the UK’s largest global equity investment trusts, investing in companies around the world and so this garden takes visitors on a journey from the cool blues of northern hemisphere plants as you enter the garden, to the hot reds and oranges of South America and elsewhere around the world as visitors reach the centre. Featuring so many plants, the garden reflects Witan’s diversity; the Trust has 10 external managers and invests in over 400 different companies, with specialisms in a variety of geographies and industries.
Witan has supported the RHS for over 18 years and during that time has helped to redevelop a number of new gardens at RHS Garden Wisley. Select shareholders in the FTSE 250 Investment Trust can apply to enter a ballot that admits two adults for free to any one of the four RHS Gardens in the UK.
Witan’s relationship with the RHS started over 18 years ago. There is an extraordinary synergy and overlap between Witan’s shareholder base and the RHS membership so it was an obvious association on which to build our marketing programme and Witan shareholders benefit from the relationship, not least through the opportunity to apply for free tickets to the RHS UK Gardens each year. In sponsoring a show garden at Hampton Court this year, we look to the future of gardening with an almost entirely edible plant list, many of which we believe will come as a surprise to visitors. Jane and her team have done a fantastic job in creating a garden that reflects the global nature and diversity of Witan.
Witan’s Chairman, Harry Henderson
I was delighted to have been chosen to design this garden, after my experience on the creative team bringing to life Xa Tollemarche’s garden for Witan at RHS Hyde Hall. From working on the Global Growth Vegetable Garden at Hyde Hall, I knew there were ideas that I could bring across to Witan’s Garden at Hampton Court. For example, the circular, ‘global’ nature of the garden and the enormous list of plants, all of which can be grown in the UK. When you plant something, you are looking to the future with optimism, seeking to behold your garden flourish and grow. In designing an edible garden for Witan at Hampton Court this year, we want to inspire visitors and demonstrate what they are capable of within their own garden.
Garden Designer Jane Bailey
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Witan Investment Trust plc
Established in 1909, Witan is one of the UK's largest investment trusts, managing £1.6bn (source: Witan, as at 31.05.2016) on behalf of over 25,000 investors. Witan operates a multi-manager structure and currently has 10 appointed managers. For further details please visit www.witan.com.
For further information please contact:
Andrew Bell, Chief Executive Officer
Witan Investment Trust plc
Tel: 020 7227 9770
[email protected]
Hannah Philp, Director of Marketing
Witan Investment Trust plc
Tel: 020 7227 9770
Hannah[email protected]
Notes to Editors
RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
The largest flower show in the world, it runs from Tuesday 5th to Sunday 10th July in 2016, with a preview evening for on Monday 4th July. The show features show gardens, floral marquees and pavilions, talks and demonstrations. It is erected on the north and south sides of the Long Water in Hampton Court Park at Hampton Court Palace in southwest London. It is the second major national show after the Chelsea Flower Show and focuses on more environmental issues, growing your own food and vegetables and cookery, while also offering opportunities to buy gardening accessories, plants and flowers. Proceeds from all ticket sales support the charitable work of the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society), including RHS Apprentices and other activities aimed at bringing young people into horticulture. More information and tickets are available here: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-hampton-court-palace-flower-show/tickets
Jane Bailey Garden Design
Since graduating with a degree in Garden Design, Jane Bailey has been involved in creating gardens of many different styles and situations. More information available here: http://www.jbgdesign.co.uk/