Sparsholt College has teamed up with Gilbert White and The Oates Collections to create an entry for the 2020 RHS Chelsea Garden Show.

Entitled ‘The Natural Kalendar’, it was designed by the college’s multi-medal-winning team in celebration of Gilbert White and to mark the tercentenary of his birth.

The exhibit will highlight White’s life work and accomplishments observing the natural history.

A thatched, spinning seat made from an old port barrel is a key element of the design.

Originally designed by White to observe the passing environment over long periods, the seat provided protection from wind, a downpour of rain, or burning sunshine.

It will be surrounded by a wild flower turf inspired by a natural meadow found at Selborne.

James Bolton, Sparsholt College student and construction team leader, said: “I’m so excited about RHS Chelsea because it’s such a prestigious event.

“As soon as I joined the horticulture course here at Sparsholt College, I have been looking forward to it.

“As a young horticulturist it’s such a great opportunity to contribute ideas and to put the skills we have learnt into practice.”

Other features will include a ha-ha, an imitation fruit wall originally used at Selborne to ripen fruit and Melon Frame as a nod to the early melon cultivars that White grew in ‘hot beds’.

Chris Bird, horticulture lecturer at Sparsholt, said: “It’s been wonderful to see this garden come to life around us to celebrate such an occasion as the tercentenary of Gilbert White’s birth in the process. We can’t wait to exhibit our work and for visitors to RHS Chelsea to be as inspired by Gilbert White as we are.”