A piece of medieval history will be taken to RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 after Welcome to Yorkshire unveiled the design for its biggest garden to date.

‘God’s Own County – A Garden for Yorkshire’ is inspired by the huge East Window at York Minster, the largest single expanse of medieval stained glass in Britain, currently undergoing a major £20m restoration.

This will be the window into the garden which will showcase Yorkshire’s stunning scenery, iconic heritage, industries and skilled tradespeople.

The materials used will reflect the Yorkshire landscape and will feature stone pillars carved by York Minster’s masons as well as traditional stone and timber gargoyles and monoliths loaned from historic sites across Yorkshire.

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said:
“Our presence at the Chelsea Flower Show enables us to showcase Yorkshire to the world and our 2016 entry will be the biggest and best yet.
“This will be our seventh year at Chelsea and we’re delighted to be taking a central plot, ensuring even more visitors see our fantastic garden. Here’s hoping we can bring another Gold Medal back to Yorkshire next year!’

The Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, Dean of York said:
“The East Window is a masterpiece in stone and glass that has inspired generations. We are delighted that its beauty is to be replicated in a garden that will showcase the spirit of Yorkshire.”

The restoration of the East Window has been generously supported with a grant of £10.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF.) The renovated window will be revealed in all its glory in 2018.

Welcome to Yorkshire is working with Matthew Wilson, former Head of RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate. Matthew is Principle Designer at Clifton Nurseries which has a long association with the Chelsea Flower Show, winning 12 medals including five Gold Medals and two Best Show Garden awards.

Matthew Wilson said:
“The garden’s design opens a window of opportunity to celebrate the county. With the materials and skills used to create the garden, we will be bringing over 600 years of living history to Chelsea. I’m incredibly excited to begin working on ‘God’s Own County – A Garden for Yorkshire’ and can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction to it.”

The garden will include panels of the same mouth blown glass being used in the restoration of York Minster’s East Window, expertly assembled by the York Glaziers Trust.

The planting will celebrate the diversity of plants in Yorkshire gardens with a series of beds directly inspired by the colours of the stained glass in the East Window.

At Chelsea, Welcome to Yorkshire has previously won one Gold Medal, four Silver Medals, one Silver Gilt Medal and five People’s Choice Awards.