A FLORIST who opened his shop in lockdown has gone back to his first days in business for inspiration for his exhibit at Chelsea Flower Show.
David Morley, who runs The Plant Workshop, is exhibiting at this year’s show as part of the houseplant studios.
The show gets underway today (Tuesday) and is on until Saturday.
Read more: First look at cake cafe opening in Darlington village next week
His team has put together an exhibit showcasing easy-to-look-after plants to improve mental health and wellbeing while working from home.
The 39-year-old, from Stockton, said: “We started our business in lockdown and we wanted to go back to our roots really. When we look at how people are now working from home, they are buying plants and really wanting something that will help with their wellbeing.
“People don’t want to sit and stare at a wall, they want greenery. Our whole focus is on materials and textures but also plants that are easy to care for.
“Chelsea can often be about more unusual plants but we did our exhibit with plants you can get from any shop. It’s all about affordability and inclusivity as well.”
Mr Morley had to delay the opening of his shop due to the first lockdown in 2020, which came not long after he decided to leave his job as an NHS dietician.
Since then, The Plant Workshop has grown and has shops in Billingham, Northallerton and in Fenwicks, in Newcastle, as well as an online one shipping plants across the UK.
Mr Morley put together the exhibition alongside his Fenwicks team of Meg Holtom and Kirsty Emery and it also features candles and home fragrances made by his husband, Steve Vernon in Hartburn.
Read more: Salvo's Italian restaurant in Darlington announces closure
They will find out later this week whether they have won.
Mr Morley added: “We didn’t do it to get a medal bit we wanted to show how easy it is to improve your space, whatever budget you have or how much or how little space you have.
“We have 4m by 3m so it wasn’t massive but we managed to create a wonderful space really.”
He added: “The atmosphere is really exciting. Everyone is really happy with what they have created.
“We’re a creative team so we have relished the opportunity. Who could say no to the Chelsea Flower Show?”
Some of the other designs in the houseplants studio section include a 1980s disco theme, a sitting room design and one featuring audio of the noises that plants make when they grow.
Read more: Whale on Redcar beach as part of interactive street theatre
To find out more about the shop visit www.theplantworkshop.co.uk.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here