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SEEDA Wins Gold For Surprising Science Garden At Chelsea Flower Show
22 May 2007
 SEEDA's (South East England Development Agency's) innovative Surprising Science garden has won a coveted gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show for plants for industrial uses. The garden, in the Lifelong Learning section of the Great Pavilion at Chelsea, showcases the innovative scientific uses and the potential of plants that can change our lives in pharmaceuticals, industry and pollution control. It is a result of collaboration by SEEDA with a number of partners including, among others, two of the region's agricultural colleges including Hadlow College, who grew most of the plants, garden designer Lindsey Knight, and landscaping firm Touch of Magic.
And one of the big surprises at Chelsea was the plant Cannabis sativa (Subsp. Sativa) – otherwise known as hemp – which was displayed in the SEEDA garden. Cannabis sativa contains a large number of different chemicals which are believed to be medically beneficial in relieving the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, neuropathic pain and terminal cancer. The plants were grown in the South East under licence from the Home Office.
The garden features a wide variety of plants, each of which can be used for commercial purposes and have high-value applications in a modern, knowledge-based business economy. The garden shows how we can all benefit from the products derived from plants – such as paint from marigolds and industrial
lubricants from amaranthus and Abyssinian mustard as well as borage for blood pressure, eczema and asthma, and yew for tamoxifen to treat breast cancer. There is also a hard landscaping derived from plant materials, a hemp hammock and a fountain.
James Brathwaite , Chairman of SEEDA, said: "It is a fantastic achievement to have won a gold medal at Chelsea – the most prestigious flower show in the world. SEEDA's theme of 'surprising science' is one that has created a huge interest amongst judges and visitors. It highlights the fact that the world class scientific research and development in the South East region is ensuring that we continue to discover much more about the uses and potential of plants, and that we use this research to develop globally competitive knowledge-based businesses. Our new Horticulture Working Group aims to raise the profile of the industry within the region and to demonstrate the importance of science and innovation to increase economic prosperity as part of the Regional Economic Strategy for South East England, 2006-2016. It will also forge new links between the horticulture sector and other related areas such as pharmaceuticals".
Valerie Carter, SEEDA Rural Director, added: "SEEDA has used the Chelsea Flower Show to demonstrate that plants can have uses beyond the decorative and aesthetic. We have featured a wide variety of plants, each of which can be used for commercial purposes and have high value applications today's economy. The profile of the horticulture sector needs to be raised, promoting new opportunities through science and technology as well as traditional plant growing. SEEDA is working with private sector lead businesses, colleges, research establishments and others to develop the sector and encourage new entrants to continue the strong skills base we have in the South East. Last year SEEDA sponsored Sparsholt College which went on to win a Lifelong Learning Gold Medal at the Show."
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