RINGO Starr joined George Harrison’s widow to unveil a garden dedicated to him at Chelsea Flower Show.

 

The 67-year-old drummer arrived in Harrison’s 1966 red mini with F1 racing ace Damon Hill at the wheel.

 

From Life To Life was one of two Liverpool-inspired gardens that were showcased at the prestigious show yesterday.

 

Actress Sue Johnston and culture guru Phil Redmond were on hand to unveil the city’s Mr Roscoe’s garden in Chelsea’s Grand Pavilion.

 

And the Queen also paid the Capital of Culture stand a visit - three days before she is due in the city.

 

The Harrison garden includes the Three Graces picked out in mosaic, and a homage to the guitarist’s upbringing in Wavertree’s Arnold Grove.

 

Widow Olivia Harrison said: “Creating the garden was a really joyous experience. We used to go to Chelsea Flower Show every year and get lots of ideas.

 

“We gardened all our lives together and if ever there was a fitting tribute to George, it would be a garden.”

 

Ringo Starr, who took the opportunity to declare “I love Liverpool”, added: “I think the garden is incredible – it’s a nice gesture to George, its beautiful.”

 

Sir George Martin, who was also at the launch, said: “I think it’s fantastic.”

 

Earlier, Brookside and Waking the Dead star Sue Johnston opened the Liverpool garden – the first time the city has exhibited at Chelsea for 38 years.

 

She said: “It’s stunning and its great to be involved in Chelsea.”

 

Phil Redmond added: “As with all these things in Capital of Culture, its about reminding everybody of what Liverpool was, is, and can be.”

 

The garden attracted a host of well-wishers including actress Patricia Routledge, chef Antonio Carluccio, Sir Trevor McDonald and the President of the Royal Horticultural Society.

 

The BBC has created a short film about William Roscoe and Liverpool’s Botanical Collection which will be shown at 8pm tomorrow.

 

Jyll Bradley, whose Capital of Culture project Fragrant inspired the garden, said: “William Roscoe was the founder of Liverpool culture and this garden shows his achievements.”

 

MR Roscoe’s Garden highlights the city’s botanical collection and Capital of Culture year.

 

It also celebrates the life, work and spirit of William Roscoe – poet, politician and botanist, who founded Liverpool’s acclaimed collection in 1903.

 

The garden features a greenhouse inspired by a portrait in the Walker Art Gallery, and which is surrounded by more than 70 types of plant including the Roscoea, which is named after Roscoe.

 

From Life to Life, named after lyrics in George Harrison’s song It’s All Too Much, is inspired by the Beatle.

 

It is divided into four areas to represent his life, starting with his post war boyhood in Liverpool and featuring an old children’s bike, weed strewn grass and reference to his father’s allotment.

 

The 1960s are represented with colourful flowers and a huge glass sun with the lyrics to Here Comes The Sun on it.

 

Later years are reflected in tranquil mossy lawns and a spiritual scented garden and pavilion.

 

Whole article here: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-n...00252-20934387/

Yes, I saw this on the BBC1 Chelsea Flower show coverage.

 

I thought it was really good, as George always loved his gardening.