Thrive wins best urban garden

Berkshire charity Thrive wins best urban garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The charity which helps people with disabilities and self-esteem issues is celebrating winning best urban garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Thrive's gold winning garden is called the Unexpected Gardener.

Aimed at men in their 60s who enjoy contemporary design and music, the garden combines style with features which allow disabled access.

It features raised beds, non-slip paths, a wood-burning stove and a newly developed deep blue bearded iris.

Garden to return

The Unexpected Gardener entry was opened by Swedish singer/songwriter Kristina Bill alongside former wakeboard champion Tom Watson and blind gardener Kevin Smith, who have been growing plants for the Unexpected Gardener.

Some of the plants featured in the Thrive garden have been grown by gardeners working in Reading such as Tom, who suffered massive head injuries in a car accident four years ago.

Thanks to Thrive, Tom has rebuilt his physical stamina and improved his memory, concentration and communication skills.

"It's absolutely fantastic," said Chief Executive of Thrive, Nicola Carruthers.

"Not only have we won gold, we've won best urban garden in the category. The judges said it was head and shoulders above any other urban garden."

The Unexpected Gardener will return to Thrive's Trunkwell Garden Project at Beech Hill, just outside Reading as part of the National Gardens Scheme on 18 and 25 July from 1400BST to 1630BST.

Provided courtesy of BBC Online