A CHELMSFORD landscaper has clinched two top gongs at the Chelsea Flower Show.

‘The Mind’s Eye’ garden was awarded gold and best in show for the Fresh Garden category this week and put together in nine days by Chelmsford landscaper David Fountain, who said it was the most complicated project he had worked on, with the help of Hertfordshire-based Pulham Garden Crafts.

Mr Fountain, who has two gold medals and several best in shows from the Royal Horticultural Society, added: “We did the main structure and the glass cube – it was extremely complex and we had only nine days to build it so we were working flat out.

“I knew when I finished – I had a feeling – that it was a winner.”

The garden was sponsored by Brentwood property firm Countryside and presented in partnership with the National Institute of Blind People.

Designed by LDC Design, it took inspiration from experiences of sight loss and included textures, sounds, tastes and smells, an Islamic walled garden and the art of Piet Mondrian and Ben Nicholson – even featuring an edible wall.

It also attracted a host of celebrities including Jerry Hall, Brendan Cole, Jennifer Saunders and Anna Maxwell Martin tried the fennel, mint and thyme flavoured ice cream inspired by the aromatic herbs in the garden.

Countryside chief executive Graham Cherry said: “We are delighted that the RHS judges honoured us with the Best Fresh Garden award against some very tough competition.

“The garden really does look fabulous and it is a credit to the team effort of everyone involved.

“Our partnership with RNIB has given us insight into the valuable work the charity does and we are pleased that our sponsorship has allowed them to share this on the world stage at Chelsea Flower Show.”