Jane was extremely pleased to be awarded a site for a French themed garden for Chelsea 2006 and was further thrilled that, on this her first attempt at any form of showing, the garden received a Bronze Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society.

She was particularly delighted by the public response to Saveurs de France, which (with the exception of two ladies) was universally positive! Those French people, who saw it, received the garden exceedingly well and she continues to get encouraging feedback. From comments, it is apparent that she succeeded in her objective of capturing the very spirit and ambiance of such trottoir planting which is to be seen from the Belgium border south to Burgundy, while offering constructive ideas about how such a scheme might be achieved in an English domestic setting. It was especially pleasing that so many visitors remarked, mistakenly, that she had been awarded a larger site than the other exhibitors in the Courtyard section. All the plots are of identical dimensions (4.5m x 4m).

The media coverage was extremely good - broadcasts in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany as well as items in Britain on three of the five show days. Crews from Eastern Europe and Australia also filmed and the garden featured on a number of websites.

Thanks are owed to many and in no particular order: Jane’s friends for their encouragement; the enthusiastic specialist nurseries; the blacksmith and his partner (who were never defeated by requests or deadlines!); the Contractor and the men he assigned to the garden, for their charm and support; the indefatigable chief planter and the volunteers who so nobly manned the exhibit in mostly rather trying weather conditions. Also all those who made such kind remarks about the garden both at the Show and afterwards.

Particular thanks are due to Helen Andre at Fuchsiavale for the generous donation of the fuchsias required for this exhibit, MATTEON Software Ltd. for continued technical and photographic services, Michael D Chewter Landscapes (01892 822 246) for support throughout the planning and construction, Ivor Hughes of French Antiques, Leeds (01132 301 004 - ivor [at] frantique.fsnet.co.uk) for the house number and street sign and Robert James of The Wheelwrights Eng. Co. (01825 733 666) for the fence panel, trellis, door and window grilles and trough liners. Also to, Zillah Richards (www.zillahrichards.co.uk) for the wonderful watercolour used on the brochure.

Further details and images of the garden may be found on the RHS website at: http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea/2006/exhibitors/courtyard_gardens/janerose.asp.