He revealed some of the other “high quality plants” it will be using will include pandanus, bamboos, ferns, celosias and agapanthus.

Tickets for the show, which runs from May 22-26, are still on sale but are described as “extremely limited”.

* For more information on the Chelsea Flower Show visit www.rhs.org.uk or call 0844 338 7506.

Fact file

* The RHS Chelsea Flower Show was formally known as the Great Spring Show dating back to 1862.

* Previously held at RHS’s garden in Kensington for 26 years, in 1888 it moved into the heart of London.

* Now held over five days, it is the most famous flower show in the UK, and arguably the world, attracting around 157,000 from across the globe.

* The garden equivalent of a catwalk fashion show, several members of the British Royal Family attend a preview of the show, as part of the royal patronage of the RHS.

* New plants are often launched at the show and the popularity of older varieties revived under the focus of the horticultural world.

* Highlights from the 2011 show included The Irish Sky Garden by Diarmuid Gavin based on the idea of a restaurant in the sky and HESCO Garden by Leeds City Council which featured an impressive and idyllic working water wheel.

Malvern gardening event begins

The Malvern Spring Gardening Show, the first major national gardening event of the year, was opening for a media day today.

The Three Counties Showground was hosting inspirational show gardens including an interactive water garden, a peaceful public space and a wildlife haven.

Also featuring were14 school gardens based on the theme ‘ Sustainability for all’. Designs include a Tudor-inspired knot garden, one with a working water wheel, and others inspired by children’s school books.

The show, set against the backdrop of the Malvern Hills, runs until Sunday, May 13.

* For more information and admission price details visit www.threecounties.co.uk/springgardening.

Brum charity is putting in Groundwork

Birmingham-based environmental charity Groundwork UK, which works to improve lives through green initiatives, will also have a presence at the event.

It will be showing off it’s garden concept called Urban Oasis, designed by Chris Beardshaw, and how urban greening can help improve health, crime and social problems in communities.

Featuring as part of RHS’s environment exhibition at the Chelsea show, Groundwork will showcase how in some of the most challenging urban environments gardening, community work and good quality landscape design have brought people together and “yielded powerful social benefits”.

Although the garden itself won’t be on show at Chelsea it will be at every other RHS show this season, including BBC Gardeners’ World Live at Birmingham’s NEC in June.

Explaining the Urban Oasis concept Mr Beardshaw said: “The green space around us – where we live and work – has a fundamental effect on our emotions and behaviour.

“It is well documented that in areas where these spaces are neglected and poorly designed we see strong evidence of social unrest and it is easy to see why when you stand in these spaces yourself.

“Whatever the green need, there is a solution and contrary to popular belief it doesn’t have to mean high cost – the Urban Oasis gardens showcase design solutions which can make such a difference in people’s lives.”