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PIONEERING GARDENER DIES

Who was Beth Chatto, what gardens did she design and how many Chelsea Flower Show medals did she win?

PIONEERING gardener and writer Beth Chatto passed away aged 94 on Sunday, May 13, 2018.

The influential plantswoman won numerous medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

 Beth Chatto designed gardens across the UK
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Beth Chatto designed gardens across the UKCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

Who was Beth Chatto?

Mrs Chatto was an award-winning gardener, who lectured across the world on the subject.

She made famous the principle of the right plant for the right place and went on to design gardens and write popular books.

Mrs Chatto married fruit farmer Andrew Chatto in the 1940s after their love for plants brought them together.

 Mrs Chatto won multiple awards at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
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Mrs Chatto won multiple awards at the RHS Chelsea Flower ShowCredit: Getty Images - Getty

What gardens did she design?

Mrs Chatto convinced her husband to build a house on part of his fruit farm.

The couple developed the Chatto Gardens in Colchester, Essex, in the 1960s.

It is now a popular tourist attraction, complete with tearooms and a restaurant.

 Mrs Chatto died peacefully at her home
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Mrs Chatto died peacefully at her homeCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

How many RHS Chelsea Flower Show medals did she win?

The great-grandmother won ten awards the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

They were consecutive titles, the first of which came in 1977 for a "unique" display of plants for dry and damp areas.

She went on to receive the Royal Horticultural Society's highest award, the Victoria Medal, in 1987 and was also awarded an OBE by the Queen in 2002.

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