Master gardener takes inspiration from Kerry bogland for RHS Flower Show

Billy Alexander of Kells Bay Gardens in Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry

Billy Alexander of Kells Bay Gardens in Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry has announced his most ambitious plan for the show to date

Horticulture

23 March 2023

Master gardener, Billy Alexander of Kells Bay Gardens in Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry has announced his most ambitious plan to date for the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Building on his 2021 success, where Alexander was awarded Gold medals at both the RHS Chelsea Flower show and the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Show, the gardener has ambition is to secure another gold medal at the upcoming event, which runs from 22 to 27 May.

Design inspiration once more comes from the local environment, and the exhibition will simulate a Kerry bog, and along with a myriad of fern varieties, native sphagnum moss will feature amidst small peaty bog pools. Offsetting this, will be large ancient rocks typical of the Iveragh peninsula landscape in Co. Kerry.

Demonstrating the respect which organisers have for the Kerry-based gardener, Kells Bay ferns will be positioned in a central area in the Great Pavilion in May 2023, and the exhibition will feature in a preview of the show on BBC 1’s Gardener’s World.

Alexander’s displays showcase the uniqueness, diversity and beauty of world fern species, all of which grow naturally in the idyllic microclimate at Kells Bay Gardens overlooking the Dingle Peninsula.

Outside of horticultural shows, ferns from Alexander’s collection are held in high esteem and can even be found in the grounds of royalty – including King Charles’ private place of residence Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, UK.

In order to bring his vision to life, Alexander is seeking a sponsor with similar ambition for a unique brand opportunity providing exposure to the 157,000 annual attendees of the show that are predominantly of an ABC1 demographic.

“Without a doubt, the 2023 collection will be our most ambitious plan to date. I intend to increase fern numbers, the range of sizes and include a greater variety of species – it will be a real visual delight,” said Alexander.

“I am confident that Chelsea 2023 represents an excellent opportunity to achieve the high-impact brand awareness associated with successful participation at this major event, and I am looking to partner with an established Irish brand to further build on past success. We are delighted to share that the exhibition will feature in a Chelsea preview with BBC 1’s Gardener’s World which will pique interests of its wide viewership across the UK and Ireland ”