Mr Roscoe's Garden
Mr Roscoe's Garden - conceived by artist Jyll Bradley, and created by the council's parks and environment service and their partners - is part of the Fragrant project, a key artistic commission for Liverpool's European Capital of Culture 2008. The exhibit was given centre stage in the Pavillion at the 2008 RHS Chelsea flower show, where it won a coveted Silver medal.
Most recently, the garden was exhibited at the Southport Flower Show, where it was awarded a Large Gold medal. It was also judged to be the Best Local Authority display, and was runner up Best in Show!!! See larger picture 1, larger picture 2 and larger picture 3 of Mr Roscoe's Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Liverpool's historic and nationally important Botanical Collection, from which inspiration for the Chelsea exhibit was drawn, was established by William Roscoe, one of Liverpool's most famous and influential citizens in 1802. The collection has not been on display since 1984.
The collection started with exotic plants brought back on ships returning from the tropics, which formed the basis of the glasshouse collections and which became internationally famous. These collections were further enhanced by the addition of species obtained by donations from, and exchange with, other botanical gardens, plant collectors and private growers worldwide.
Part of the collection is now on public display in the glasshouses in the Croxteth Victorian Walled Garden. About one-third of the plants and flowers are on display, including the three National Collections and the once world-famous orchid collection. Work is ongoing to relocate the rest of the collection into a permanent home to enable all the collection to be on show.
The collection was established at a time of great prosperity for Liverpool, so it is only fitting that its re-emergence comes as we enter a new period in the city's history; ushered in by our European Capital of Culture celebrations next year.
Download our Liverpool Botanical Collection leaflet with information about the history of the collection, featuring many of the plants which can be seen at Croxteth. Better still come and visit us and enjoy the peace and tranquility of our Walled Garden - pick up a few tips for your own garden or simply enjoy the surroundings little changed from Lord and Lady Sefton's time.
Liverpool Fragrant Project
The Liverpool Culture Company has commissioned artist Jyll Bradley to undertake a special residency at the Botanical Collection as part of the Fragrant project; a major artistic highlight in the programme for 2008. Jyll has worked with The Culture Company and the Botanics Team in Parks & Environment and her work will culminate in an artists' book, documenting the many stories behind the collection and creating a complete archive of its history for the first time. Other plans for the project include a photographic public art exhibition as part of next year's Liverpool Biennial, and the Botanical Collection's first exhibition at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show since 1962.
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