Royal Bank of Canada today announced that its 2016 RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden will be donated and relocated to Les Cotils, a charitable centre on Guernsey, in the Channel Islands.
Designed by Hugo Bugg, the Royal Bank of Canada Garden celebrates water, not as a commodity, but as an entity sacred to humanity. The garden draws inspiration from the Mediterranean pine habitat of Jordan, using bright plantings and innovative materials coupled with bold geometric forms to help increase awareness and appreciation of water.
The garden is in keeping with the goals of the RBC Blue Water Project, a wide-ranging, 10-year global commitment to help protect the world’s fresh water resources.
Following its showcase at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this month, the Royal Bank of Canada Garden will be relocated to Les Cotils in partnership with Floral Guernsey and will form part of a new floral train through the island’s capital. Les Cotils is a 12-acre charitable trust on the outskirts of St Peter Port, Guernsey, which supports a broad range of community groups on the island.
Fiona Naftel, Managing Director of Les Cotils said: “This generous donation from the Royal Bank of Canada will not just benefit our organisation, but will benefit Guernsey as a whole, with the public being encouraged to visit and use the garden.”
Hugo Bugg said: “I am delighted that after the show, the garden will be relocated and will help create a community focal point in Guernsey. It’s immensely gratifying that after the many hours of work to create and design the Royal Bank of Canada Garden, it will be used and enjoyed for many years to come by Guernsey Islanders.”
Dave Thomas, CEO, RBC Capital Markets, Europe said: “This year’s Royal Bank of Canada Garden once again reinforces our longstanding commitment to water preservation. We have been fortunate to benefit again from Hugo Bugg’s vision in designing an innovative garden, which will provide an inspiring space for visitors to Les Cotils.”