Birmingham City Council’s stunning garden now on display in Birmingham Cathedral’s Square. The cathedral themed garden can be viewed at St Philip’s, Colmore Row until September. During this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, the display was honoured with the Diamond Jubilee Award for best in the Great Pavilion, an award that was created in 2012 in the Queen’s Jubilee Year. The council also achieved a Gold Medal. The garden was funded by Birmingham companies, residents and members of the cathedral congregation who sponsored stained glass perimeter panels. The panels were designed by the Dean of Birmingham Cathedral, the Very Reverend Catherine Ogle.Garden designer, Darren Share, Head of Parks for Birmingham City Council represented the cathedral’s tower and bells. Flowers cascade around a wicker angel. Pews signify each Bishop since St Philip’s became a cathedral in 1905. Colourful bedding plants reflect the Burne-Jones stained glass windows.
The Very Reverend Catherine Ogle, Dean of Birmingham said: “We are very proud to have been chosen for the theme of Birmingham’s Chelsea display in our 300th year. It is wonderful to see the garden back in the city. The team at the Parks Department have done a fantastic job recreating the garden."
“With the clever references to the cathedral and its rich heritage, there’s something for all ages to enjoy. It’s also a great way of telling the story of ‘the church that became a cathedral in the town that became a city’.”
