Yorkshire serves up rhubarb

Yorkshire may be making an impact on the world as the clipper Hull & Humber takes part in a round-the-globe race, but, nearer home, the county is all set to make an equally big impression at the world's greatest flower show.

The tourist board, Welcome to Yorkshire, is staging a "rhubarb and custard" garden at the Chelsea Flower Show – with a wooden chair in the shape of a spoon for presenter Alan Titchmarsh.

The garden, designed by international urban and landscape designers Gillespies, and built by Aire Valley Landscaping Services, will use edible themes to highlight the diversity of the region's food.

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Yorkshire – and, in particular the triangle between Wakefield, Morley and Rothwell – has long been famous for producing early forced rhubarb, so the Chelsea garden is something of a compliment to the growers who made – and who are still making – the area famous.

At Chelsea, a bowl of Yorkshire rhubarb is centre stage, while yellow sedum symbolises the custard. The crumble is represented by a traditional dry stone wall. Rhubarb forcing pots create focal points throughout the garden.

The famous show will also be used to launch the new Yorkshire Gardens Campaign which will highlight beautiful gardens throughout the region which people can visit. For anyone who can't make Chelsea,

there will be another opportunity to see the Yorkshire Garden at this year's Great Yorkshire Show in July.

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In February 2010, Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb was awarded Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Commission's Protected Food Name scheme.

Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 25-29. More information from rhs.org.uk

YP MAG 8/5/10