Flowers from a local Lidl store found new life in a Chelsea Flower Show garden, showcasing the transformative power of community and sustainability.
Violas donated by the Arnold Lidl store in Nottingham were utilized in the Growing Skills Garden by novice designers Will Dutch and Tin-Tin Azure-Marxen. The flowers, initially collected by volunteers as part of Lidl’s regular surplus food collection, were integrated into the garden created by Pulp Friction CIC, a Nottingham-based social enterprise.
Pulp Friction CIC supports individuals with learning disabilities or autism, aiding in the development of their social independence. The garden, featured in the All About Plants category, celebrates the enterprise’s mission to highlight the skills, determination, and passion of its members, while challenging societal perceptions of their capabilities.
“We collect surplus food from various stores to prevent waste. Typically, we sort the food for community meals or our café. One collection included these violas, which were deemed unsellable. Our members, who have learning disabilities and autism, cared for these flowers in our Bestwood community garden, nursing them back to health,” a Pulp Friction spokesperson told House Beautiful.
These vibrant violas became a central feature of the Growing Skills Garden at RHS Chelsea 2024, earning a silver-gilt medal from the judges and winning the People’s Choice award in the smaller garden category.
“This story resonated deeply with many visitors,” Dawn, a director at Pulp Friction, shared. “It symbolizes our commitment to nurturing lives and creating environments where people can thrive.”
The garden’s centerpiece is a large overhead hoop made from recycled fire hoses, with edible plants interspersed throughout. All hard landscaping materials were recycled or reclaimed, including gabion baskets filled with rubble collected by Pulp Friction members and volunteers over several months. During the garden’s construction at RHS Chelsea, they even gathered discarded materials from other garden setups to enhance their design.
Pulp Friction members actively participated in building the garden, demonstrating the impact of inclusivity in horticulture.
As the Chelsea Flower Show 2024 concluded, the dismantling of the garden began. Sponsored by Project Giving Back, a grant-making scheme that funds UK-based charity gardens at RHS Chelsea, the Growing Skills Garden will be relocated to Stockhill Fire Station in Nottingham, where the community can continue to enjoy it.
