Bermuda will create a romantic retreat in the heart of Chelsea this May, as the paradise island exhibits its charms at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show for the first time.

The Bermuda Department of Tourism and the island’s Parks Department have teamed up with award winning floral artist and architect Nicky Gurret to design Bermuda’s debut exhibit - The Bermuda Honeymoon Garden. The garden will be created for Chelsea by London-based company Indoor Garden Design.

Providing a snapshot of Bermuda’s contrasting landscapes, a pathway will lead from a traditional Bermudian moongate (a wedding-band shaped, limestone arch), through a vibrant profusion of tropical flowers to an authentic pink-sand beach.
Bermuda resident Nicky Gurret is an experienced garden designer and Chelsea Flower Show veteran. She has entered the show on three previous occasions and was awarded a medal each time. Nicky hopes to continue her winning streak with Bermuda this year. 

She said: “I have been encouraging Bermuda to enter the Chelsea Flower Show for a number of years so I am thrilled to be entrusted with designing its first exhibit.
“Our garden aims to capture the essence of Bermuda. We’ve included old tea roses, sweet Bermuda onions and indigenous Bermuda cedar trees, set to the island’s sound track of croaking tree frogs, to create a typically Bermudian feel.”

As well as showcasing the natural beauty of Bermuda, the garden will promote Bermuda as a wedding and honeymoon destination, with a moongate as the focal point. Originally a Japanese tradition and now a much-loved symbol of Bermuda, it is said that couples who kiss under a moongate are assured a long and happy life together.

“Exhibiting at the Chelsea Flower Show is such an exciting opportunity for Bermuda. With over 150,000 visitors expected to attend, it will provide great exposure for us and remind UK holidaymakers of our island’s natural beauty and romantic atmosphere.” says William Griffith, Director of Tourism, for the Bermuda Department of Tourism.

“With a design that truly represents Bermuda, we have high hopes that our garden will not only be rewarded with a much coveted medal, but also encourage visitors to choose Bermuda for their next holiday.” 

Chelsea Flower Show starts on Bermuda Day (24 May) – a public holiday celebrating Bermudian culture – making the island’s debut even more special.