Floral designers head to Chelsea Flower Show

Poppy Sturley has created a display inspired by the Netflix period drama Bridgerton

Two award winning floral designers from Wiltshire are putting displays on at the RHS Chelsea Flower show.

Poppy Sturley and Katherine Holland have designed displays inspired by the Netflix series, Bridgerton, and grief.

The designers have both previously appeared at the annual event, which has been held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea since 1913.

Ms Sturley said it was a "huge honour" to take part, adding: "It's pretty daunting, but exciting."

The show opens to the public on Tuesday and runs until 25 May.

Ms Sturley's display can be seen at the London Gate entrance

Ms Sturley's Bridgerton-inspired creation is on display at the London Gate entrance of the show.

It celebrates the newly released third season of the popular drama and the story of Penelope Featherington, a character who is described as a wallflower and is often overlooked by her peers.

"It's a huge honour to do a main entrance," Ms Sturley said.

"It's the pedestrian entrance to the show, so 400,000 people are going to be walking through there."

Ms Sturley said her floral display adopts a "jewel-like colour palette"

She said she drew inspiration from the series' period costumes, replicating the ruffles and layers of contrasting fabric colours worn by the cast members.

“I’m in great company exhibiting alongside fellow designers that similarly want to showcase the incredible flowers we have growing in the UK," she said.

"I’m hoping we can bring a fresh perspective to this heritage show, inspiring flower lovers to connect with nature, the seasons and to look closer to home for beautiful flowers, something we’ll be showcasing in our installation at the show’s main entrance."

Katherine Holland has created a display based on grief

Visitors to the show will also be able to experience Ms Holland's sensory garden creation, which aims to promote conversations around grief, to ensure that nobody suffers in silence.

She said that the display is "hugely personal" to her, following the death of her mum in 2020.

After she passed, Ms Holland gave up her career and retrained as a garden designer.

Ms Holland's display features a peaceful space surrounded by nature

“I found from my own experiences of grief that I needed a green space to reflect and sit with my feelings," Ms Holland said.

"Through this garden, I wanted to emulate this and with the layout give visitors the feeling that they are being given a ‘green hug’."

She said she drew inspiration from Sue Ryder's Grief Kind movement, which equips people with the knowledge and tools they need to support themselves or others through bereavement.