Lawn Society awards first Chelsea Medals

The Lawn Society has awarded its first medals for lawns and grassed areas exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Brian Alabaster received "Gold," The Fortnum and Mason show garden has been awarded "Silver-Gilt," Illusionesques "Silver" and Notcutts, "Bronze" for the use of grass in the company's display in the Grand Pavilion.

Mike Seaton, a fellow of the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) and founder of the Society, said that the medals were awarded according to the quality of the sward and the suitability of the grass within the overall design. "Brian Alabaster showed not only grass of a very high quality, but the display made full use of the sloping site and the bronze sculptures of children sitting on a grassy bank had been designed to fit perfectly," he said. "The Fortnum and Mason garden showed an effective and imaginative use of small lawn areas - squares of grass broken by stone - within a formal design, and Illusionesqueus with its grass sculptures showed what could be achieved when grass is used as an art form. The Notcutts Group use of good quality grass under a classical arched walkway of yellow climbers created a contrast adding an interesting dimension for the viewer."

The RHS specification to have a turved area around the perimeter of some of the show gardens was not, in Seaton's opinion "working well."

The Society, which was formed to offer expert independent lawn care advice and act as a forum for lawn lovers, can be contacted at www.lawnsociety.org.uk