Ian Rochead, the gardener who tends and maintains Guildford High School’s grounds, will be exhibiting his second show garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2009. The garden, named URBANISE, is featured in the small garden category. Now 23 years old, Ian was awarded a coveted RHS Silver medal for his small garden, The City Worker’s Retreat, when he became one of the youngest independent gardeners ever to create a garden at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower show in 2006.

Prior to that achievement Ian had spent three years studying his trade at Merrist Wood college (now Guildford College) and gaining practical experience before establishing his own gardening business. Guildford High School is supporting Ian’s development of the garden and many of the plants which are featured in URBANISE will be replanted in the school grounds after the show.

Mrs Fiona Boulton, Headmistress of Guildford High School, explains, “Ian’s dedication and professionalism are outstanding. It is a real achievement for an independent garden designer to have secured the opportunity to create his second show garden. Accomplishing this at such young age is a great example of what hard work and commitment can deliver and we are very pleased to be able to support Ian in this exciting opportunity.” If you are visiting RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, please do go along to URBANISE to meet Ian and find out more about his garden.

You can follow his preparation and construction of the garden in the weeks leading up to the show by visiting Ian's website and clicking on the Blog tab. RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is open from Tuesday 7th to Sunday 12th July 2009 (7th and 8th RHS members’ days). Find out more about the show at the RHS website.