FLEMING’S RECOVER FROM FIRES TO TAKE ON CHELSEA IN 2010

Australia’s leading grower of fruiting, deciduous and native trees, Fleming’s Nurseries, have recovered from the Black Saturday fires in 2009 and are now sharply focussed on the Chelsea Flower Show in 2010.

Partnering with long-time Chelsea team player and renowned Melbourne landscape designer, Scott Wynd, Fleming’s are set to take London by storm once again.

Delivering the design will be a construction crew made up of volunteers and members from the Landscape Institute of Australia Victoria (LIAV) who will work solidly over the 13-day build-up, to bring the Far North Queensland inspired tropical-outdoor design to life.

The design, incorporating an outdoor swimming pool with pool bar, preparation and entertainment areas, Mr Wynd says is reflective of Aussi culture at its best.

“ We love outdoor living and differently from the English – Australians use our outdoor areas rather than look at them from inside.  So we design gardens that can be lived in, used and have fun in … that’s what my garden is about,” Mr Wynd said.

Stepping back from the show following major losses in the February fires earlier this year, Fleming’s director, Wes Fleming, said the team is ready and rearing to take out best in show in May next year.

“ This coming trip to Cheslea is very special in more ways than one.

“ We had to make a very tough decision to let a lot of people down last year after a growing site was destroyed in Black Saturday – but we were very lucky and the Royal Horticulture Society immediately agreed to hold our place with an automatically approved entry to 2010,” Mr Fleming said.

“ This year, to be working alongside Scott Wynd with his classic Australian outdoor design – is fantastic as Scott has been a major part of our project each year since his company, Total Landscapes and Construction, was awarded the build for the Jack Merlo design in 2005.

“ Since then, Scott has agreed to manage the build for each subsequent visit and is now finally at the centre with his own design, which is a show-stopper sure to get the English green with envy.

“ The design epitomises our strong outdoor lifestyle with a pool at the centre of the design.

It also includes patios spaces and indoor spaces,” Mr Fleming said.

The sixth time to Chelsea for the Fleming’s team, the past five shows have produced four gold medals and two silver gilt.

The last garden by the Fleming’s project saw Jamie Durie and his company Patio take out a gold medal for his iconic outback-styled garden featuring Kimberly sandstone, a real indigenous artwork gracing a rear wall by Gabriella Possum and a wetland-style infinity pool.

“ This year will be about capturing the spirit of true Australian people and the way we live our lives.

“ It has elements of our Australian cheeky nature with a lava-lamp featuring within the wall of the pool – something we’re still engineering.”

Each year Fleming’s invite a different Australian designer and different construction crew totally approximately 20 people, flying over to the UK to build the design which sees more than 130,000 people visit including Her Majesty the Queen among other royals and celebrities.

“ We have been honoured by Her Majesty four of the five past years and can say she has a stunning Xanthorrhoea from Dean Herald’s Gold medal deign – growing at Windsor Castle, and a painting by Gabriella Possum in her Buckingham Palace private gallery.

“ It’s quite surreal the Cheslea experience and we are very much looking forward to resuming our space there next year.”

The Chelsea Flower Show will open in May 2010.