PORTLAND, Oregon – June 15, 2016 – The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, and the Oregon Garden are showcasing the state's natural beauty at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, the largest annual outdoor garden show in the world, held July 5-10 in Surrey, England. Designed by U.K.-based Sadie May Stowell, “The Oregon Garden” is inspired by snow-capped mountains, breathtaking gorges and bounteous vineyards and is one of three “Great Gardens of the USA” coordinated by Brand USA for the event.

“The RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show provides a unique opportunity to share the diverse landscape of Oregon with the wider world,” said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon. “Sadie May Stowell's design captures the essence of the state's spectacular wilderness while representing efforts to tame and enjoy the land, from vast vineyards to scenic bikeways. Together, the garden itself will inspire visits to Oregon for the enjoyment of a wide range of outdoor pursuits.”

“The Oregon Garden” is framed by a backdrop of rocky outcrops planted with conifer trees and features a cascading waterfall as a focal point. Pathways of crushed stone mimic the miles of hiking trails that lead outdoor enthusiasts to memorable vistas and experiences around Oregon, while meadow-style planting recalls the wildflowers and grasses of the region. The garden's central area is lined with grapevines, representing the state's flourishing wine industry. To incorporate the state's love of cycling, bicycle wheels serve as a boundary to the garden and speak to the scenic bikeways that crisscross Oregon, providing a truly immersive experience of the state's pristine environment. 

“What's great about Sadie's design is that it encapsulates a sense of adventure represented in the rugged rocky outcroppings and the crushed-stone pathways leading to the pond areas,” says Ty Boland, horticulture manager at the Oregon Garden located in Silverton. In terms of the variation in plantings selected, Boland continued, “in Silverton, we are right on the 45th parallel [equi-distant between the Equator and the North Pole], a beautiful climatic zone which lends itself to massive botanical diversity.” 

For U.K. denizens, “The Oregon Garden” reflects the spirit and charm of an Oregon adventure, but also provides a sneak peek at what they can experience firsthand with greater ease than ever next year. Delta Air Lines recently announced seasonal, direct service flights between Portland International Airport (PDX) and London Heathrow (LHR), commencing May 26 and concluding Oct. 29, 2017. The non-stop service marks the first-ever direct link between Oregon and the U.K. 

About the RHS

The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 by Sir Joseph Banks and John Wedgwood to inspire passion and excellence in the science, art and practice of horticulture. The RHS is the world's largest gardening charity with 420,000 members, and the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, first held in 1993, has become the world's largest with an average of 160,000 attendees each year. The RHS is committed to bring the joy of gardening to millions of people, inspire the next generation of gardeners and invest in the future to safeguard a £10.4 billion industry employing more than 300,000 people. The RHS is entirely funded by members, visitors and supporters, and membership is for anyone with an interest in gardening. For more information call: 020 3176 5820, or visit www.rhs.org.uk/join.

About Travel Oregon

The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, works to enhance visitors' experiences by providing information, resources and trip planning tools that inspire travel and consistently convey the exceptional quality of Oregon. The commission aims to improve Oregonians' quality of life by strengthening economic impacts of the state's $10.8 billion tourism industry that employs more than 105,000 Oregonians. Visit TravelOregon.com to learn more.

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