A GREENFINGERED star of the future from near Ellesmere is set to take on her biggest challenge – a space at RHS Tatton Park.

Olivia Copley, 21 and from Lyneal, went to Bishop Heber School in Malpas and has just finished her second year at the University of Sheffield.

She will be taking her garden ‘Small Actions, Big Impact’ at this year’s show – running from Wednesday, July 17 to Sunday, July 21 – and said she is looking forward to the challenge.

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Olivia said: “I’m doing the preparation work at the moment and then we’re collecting everything up and transporting it before we start the build on Friday.

“We’ve got five days to do that.

“I think that Tatton is more for up-and-coming designers but it is one of the most well-known shows in the horticultural world.

“This is my first show as a designer – I’ve been to a few with mum, such as Tatton and Chelsea, but this is my first one doing this.

'Small Actions, Big Impact' will be Olivia Copley's garden this year. 'Small Actions, Big Impact' will be Olivia Copley's garden this year. (Image: Olivia Copley.)

“I designed the Alice Garden at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital too and doing this show is a logical step for my career as I want to be able to go to Tatton and make contacts.

“I am going to do a Masters at Sheffield but we have to have a year off in between so I hope to make as many contacts I can to help that.”

Olvia explained the concept of her show: “Green corridors are essential in providing connectivity to parks and green spaces, allowing nature to flow throughout the city rather than staying confined to the park gates.

“The best way this can be achieved is though the power of front gardens.”

Olivia admitted that her first show will included her love of Shropshire and around her home in Lyneal, and says that she is dreaming of any award.

“I’ve always been outdoorsy – my dad owns a landscaping business and my mum is a keen gardener so I have always been outdoors,” she said.

“One of the trees I am using for the garden is Crataegus – a hawthorn – and that is local to us and Shropshire, though I’m trying to use cultured varieties.

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“I’ve also got flowers that are good for cutting or drying and can be used in a small space.

“There is a judging and press day on the Tuesday before the show opens and I hope I can pick up an award.”

Olivia added that some of the flowers were grown with her family and a woven willow archway mimicking a ‘front door’ was created by Shropshire willow sculpture Daisy Askins.