
A garden to be part of Eden Project Morecambe - named with a nod to the town's favourite son - will go on display at the world famous Chelsea Flower Show.
The 'Bring Me Sunshine' garden will offer a first glimpse of the new visitor attraction in Morecambe, when it opens next May at the renowned show in London.
Named after the trademark song of Morecambe-born TV comic Eric Morecambe and his partner Ernie Wise, the garden has been created with help from young people from the town.
Designed by multi award-winning garden designer Harry Holding and architect Alex Michaelis, it will take centre stage at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
After the show, the garden will become the first feature at Eden Project Morecambe, forming part of a vibrant 1.6-acre public community garden on the central Promenade site.
The Eden Project said it will become a living classroom, community hub and beacon of regeneration, rooted in both the natural and cultural heritage of Morecambe Bay.
Work to install the garden will follow the show in summer 2026, with plans to officially open to the public as it bursts into spring colour in 2027, ahead of Eden Project Morecambe’s full opening the following year.
The garden will include Austrian pine trees, silvery-leaved sea buckthorn and green olive, soft, coastal-inspired planting creating a natural meadow, with pinks and yellows punctuated by vibrant blues, textural grasses, and ‘edimentals’ including sea kale, samphire and artichokes.
Practical, planet-friendly ideas from rainwater harvesting and biodiversity enrichment to the cultivation of dye and craft plants, will be part of the garden.
Next May also marks the 100th anniversary of Eric Morecambe's birth.
Below, the statue of the great Eric Morecambe, on Morecambe Promenade.
The Eden Project said the garden's materials reflect the "strength and resourcefulness of Morecambe Bay and include a sustainable approach never before seen at RHS Chelsea: boundary panels created from mussel shells and terraces crafted from cockle shell by-products".
At its centre stands a solar-powered, shell-shaped canopy, made from post-tensioned local limestone and powered by renewable energy.
Beneath it, an outdoor classroom combines hands-on horticulture, foraging and crafts with cutting-edge digital learning.
The garden has been co-created with young adults outside employment or education, offering new opportunities and skills in green industries.
“This garden is a true labour of love, shaped by collaboration, and ingenuity, and inspired by extraordinary landscapes and amazing people," said Harry Holding.
“Working alongside young adults from the Morecambe community, many of whom don’t fit society’s mould, has shown us the power of hope. Every plant, texture and layer tells a story of resilience and possibility – while new artwork will showcase the creativity of the community.”
Below, a design image of the Eden Project Morecambe.
Andy Jasper, Eden Project CEO, said: “In our 25th year, this garden reflects everything Eden stands for - connecting people with the living world. It celebrates all that’s special about Morecambe and represents a town supported by the fusion of nature and technology.
“Best of all, this incredible space will be open to all and completely free for the people of Morecambe, and the millions who will visit every year.
“Come and get a first look at a space that will inspire young people, support communities, and showcase a sustainable future – and this is only the beginning of what Eden Project Morecambe will offer.”
The garden has been made possible thanks to match-funding from grant-making charity Project Giving Back.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show takes place over five days and is run by the Royal Horticultural Society in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea.
Meanwhile, a new planning application has gone in for the Eden Project Morecambe - described as a "once in a generation opportunity" for the town.
The altered plans have been necessary to reflect changes to the scheme announced since 2022, when planning permission was previously given by Lancaster City Council for the attraction on Morecambe's central Promenade.
The Eden Project Morecambe will be divided into five sectionsm - a large biome called The Realm of the Sun; a mussel-shaped structure called The Realm of the Moon; and three outdoor gardens - the All Seasons Garden, the Rhythm Gardens and the Bring Me Sunshine Garden.
Read more: Eden Project seeks green light for design changes to £100m Morecambe attraction - Beyond Radio