A Look Back At Chelsea Flower Show

Fabulous fountains

Not one, but three stunning Haddonstone fountains have taken centre stage on our RHS Chelsea Flower Show exhibition stands in the past.

And there’s no surprises why.  A beautifully positioned cast stone water feature creates a striking focal point in any size and style of garden, patio or landscape.

To demonstrate this to the thousands of show visitors who attended the 1997 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, our team launched the Haddonstone Triple Lotus Bowl Fountain.  This elegant tiered fountain features three lotus bowls in varying scale, which are gracefully supported by fluted pedestals featuring stylised Ionic column capital details.  It is ideal for use as a centerpiece fountain in our Large, Extra Large or Extra Extra Large pool surrounds.

The response to this work of art was so positive that a year later, we unveiled another stunning water feature – this time the Double Lotus Fountain.  The Haddonstone Italianate Fountain has also been displayed at the famous flower show.

Gorgeous garden buildings

Haddonstone’s first cast stone orangery debuted at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2001, and we haven’t looked back since.  This stunning garden building has been manufactured for clients in the UK and internationally.  Combining our elegant cast stone columns and pilasters as well as other architectural elements including cornice, plinths and string courses, these imposing structures offer much versatility.  Providing luxurious additional living space to be enjoyed throughout the seasons, our team is well-versed in creating beautiful bespoke garden buildings for our clients’ unique specifications.

It’s not just our orangery that has graced our Chelsea Flower Show stand.  Our Venetian Folly was unveiled at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1990.  This unique garden building combines a range of architectural stonework including Tuscan columns, pedimented arch, quoins and balustrade.  Inspired by the works of Piranesi, this particular folly used a standard Haddonstone design to recreate an evocative scene of Roman antiquity.

Our classical, freestanding pavilion has also been featured in numerous show displays, with one even being awarded a medal as part of our 5-star exhibition stand award.

Finally, our impressive Belvedere made a grand statement at the 1998 Chelsea Flower Show, where it was first displayed.

Perfect planters

Launched at the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Haddonstone Orleans Bowl added a stylish twist to the show stand.  Adapted from our popular Fontainebleau Urn design, it’s part of an extensive range of cast stone planters within the Haddonstone collection.

The Orleans Bowl is a simple, stylish planter that works well within both a contemporary or traditional gardens.  It complements the Large Orleans Bowl and is available to purchase in three classic stone colours: Portland, Bath and Terracotta.

At the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, we elevated a duo of these beautiful planters, in Portland colour, on two complementary Georgian Pedestals.

Other Haddonstone traditional planters that have featured at the Chelsea Flower Show include our decorative Jubilee Urn, which launched as a special edition to commemorate Haddonstone’s first 25 years in business.  Whilst just 25 urns were available to purchase back then, we’re pleased delighted to offer clients the opportunity to purchase this planter from our standard collection.

Stunning Soane designs

At the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, our team launched the our characterful Soane Mouth of Truth Mask.  Part of the Haddonstone Sir John Soane Museum Collection, this theatrical mask brought a touch of classical mythology to London that year!

Visitors were intrigued by this 2000-year old design – and they weren’t the only ones.  This wall mask garnered the attention of the show judges and this cast stone design was named a finalist in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden Product of the Year competition that same year.

The Soane Mouth of Truth, and the Soane Mouth of Trust Fountain (as shown in the photo) are both now part of our standard collection and available to purchase from Haddonstone.

Notable names

It’s not just the Soane Mouth of Truth mask that has been on display at one of our many Chelsea Flower Show exhibits.

In 2016, we launched a trio of new busts, including two as part of our popular Sir John Soane’s Museum Collection.  Both busts are replicas from the Sir John Soane’s Museum in London.

The Haddonstone cast stone Soane Shakespeare portrait bust is taken from the museum’s copy of the original Thomas Sheemakers’ work at the Shakespeare Monument at Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey, London.  For any true lover of language, syntax, grammar and drama, a gift of this form would be most welcome!

Secondly, the Soane Inigo Jones bust is a replica of the original marble bust, which now resides at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire.  Inigo Jones was arguably one of Britain’s greatest icons in the fields of landscape design, literature and architecture.

The perfect stonework for your garden, all year round

Haddonstone’s wide range of cast stone designs work well in any garden setting, whatever time of year it may be.

Our friendly and experienced Home and Garden team are available to help you choose the perfect stonework for your outside space.

Request a call back with a member of our team and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible: