Passion for nature celebrated at RHS Tatton Flower Show

Judges were overwhelmed by the quality, appearance and attention to detail demonstrated at the RHS Tatton Flower Show.

Lifelong lover of plants Sue Beesley, of Bluebell Cottage Gardens and Nurseries, impressed experts again.

“This is my fifth gold medal in a row,” said Sue, a former BBC Gardener of the Year.

Sue Beesley is keen to encourage gardeners to grow hardy, perennial plants (Image: Newsquest)

“The medal matters but I build the stand to show the best good, hardy plants we can produce.

“I want people to understand that to make a beautiful garden, hardy perennial plants will come back year after year.”

Show visitors delighted to buy top quality flower and plants for their own gardens (Image: Newsquest)

Her nursery in Dutton specialises in flowering perennials and stocks more than 700 varieties.

Most of the plants are propagated from stock plants, using peat-free compost and managed without chemical pesticides.

Designer Pip Probert won a silver medal for her contemporary garden entitled ‘Alfresco’.

Designer Pip Probert in her contemporary garden entitled 'Alfresco' (Image: Newsquest)

A fully fitted kitchen, including barbeque and pizza oven, surrounded by shrubs, trees and grasses, creates a relaxing space to share food with family and friends.

Chrysanthemums Direct, from Knutsford, was thrilled to receive silver gilt.

Martin Fllint, of Chrysanthemums Direct, with his magnificent display of blooms (Image: Newsquest)

This nursery cuts an incredible 1.25 million blooms every year and is the country’s biggest chrysanthemum nursery.

There was plenty to see and do (Image: Newsquest)

Thousands of visitors were able to chat to designers and exhibitors about their shared love of nature.

A violinist welcomes visitors to the Flower School (Image: Newsquest)

Cheshire chainsaw wood sculptor Andy Burgess transforms windblown, diseased and fallen trees into works of art.

Cheshire chainsaw wood sculptor Andy Burgess (Image: Newsquest)

His latest carvings, a fox and a moon gazing hare were snapped up at the show.

Andy, a regular for the past 15 years, said: “I always like to make something new.

Visitors enjoy an ice cream (Image: Newsquest)

“We have a lot of repeat customers.

Thousands of visitors from all over the country flocked to the show (Image: Newsquest)

“I make things that people love to have in their gardens.

“I love the fact that a lump of wood I turn into an animal will last for years if it is well looked after.”