Thousands of plants earmarked to be the first physical parts of the new Eden Project Morecambe have arrived in the town.
The plants for the scheme's Bring Me Sunshine Garden came fresh from being on display at the Chelsea Flower Show and are now being cared for locally ahead of work starting later this summer.
The plants - many of which were grown at Eden Project Cornwall - are being tended at a nursery in the town.
The Bring Me Sunshine Garden, which won two awards earlier this month at the world famous London flower show, will be the first element to be created of the new £100m visitor attraction on the Promenade.
How Eden Project Morecambe could look
Among the plants that have arrived is a diverse mix of coastal and pollinator-friendly species grown at Eden Project Cornwall, including Allium moly, sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum), Briza media, Didiscus caeruleus, Gilia capitata, Jasione montana, Linum perenne and Tragopogon porrifolius, alongside herbs such as dill (Anethum graveolens) and seasonal highlights like Gladiolus byzantinus.
Many were specifically selected for their ability to thrive in coastal environments, reflecting the ecology of Morecambe Bay and the long-term planting vision for the site.
Plants being cared for ahead of work starting on the Eden Project Morecambe
The Bring Me Sunshine Garden - named with a nod to the town's favourite son, comedian Eric Morecambe and his trademark song - was designed by award‑winning duo Harry Holding and Alex Michaelis and co‑created with young adults from Morecambe.
The garden received both a Silver-Gilt medal – the second-highest accolade awarded by RHS judges – and the prestigious Environmental Innovation Award, presented to just one garden each year and awarded to only three gardens since its introduction in 2024.
The garden – which will form part of the 1.5-acre free-to-enter community gardens due to open spring 2027 at the new world-class destination – showcases sustainable innovation never before seen at RHS Chelsea.
It features materials rooted in Morecambe Bay’s heritage.
A solar‑powered, shell‑shaped canopy using tensioned local limestone, will form the centrepiece, sheltering an outdoor classroom that blends hands‑on horticulture, foraging, crafts and digital learning.
Morecambe and Wise impersonators Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel at the Bring Me Sunshine Garden during its display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this month
“It was truly special to see the garden come to life at the Chelsea Flower Show, showcasing Harry Holding’s beautiful coastal planting design and innovative use of ‘clamcrete’ that really captured the essence of Morecambe Bay," said Dewey Lord, senior project manager for Eden Project Morecambe.
“Being from Morecambe myself, this first step towards bringing the Eden Project to life means a great deal to me personally, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see this vision starting to take shape.
"Now, as the plants arrive in Morecambe ahead of installation in their permanent home in the Bring Me Sunshine Garden, I’m excited to take this project into the next phase of delivery.”
With construction of the Bring Me Sunshine Garden set to begin this summer, Lancaster City Council is supporting the project by ensuring the plants are carefully looked after ahead of the build.
The Eden Bring Me Sunshine Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The relocated planting will form the foundation of a dramatically expanded version of the Bring Me Sunshine Garden in Morecambe.
The extensive landscaped gardens will welcome visitors ahead of the wider project opening in 2028, offering a place to gather, grow, play, learn and reconnect with nature – in a way that reflects Morecambe’s identity as one of the UK’s most uplifting coastal landscapes.
The charity's Cornwall attraction celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and the Morecambe scheme is due to open in 2028.
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