Botanical painting

July 29th 2025

Darren Hawkes commissioned renowned botanical artist Veronica Ward to paint a selection of the plants that would be showcased in the garden at Chelsea in May 2026.  As Veronica only paints from life, Kelways Nursery sent a selection of plants chosen by Darren to her studio to paint while they were in flower in 2025.  The selection included Teucrium fruiticans, Pinpinella major Rosea, Erigeron karvinskianus Lavender Lady, Salvia nemorosa Sensation Pink and Gaura lindheimeri The Bride.

The beautiful pink Sarah Bernhardt Peony [Peonia Sarah Bernhardt] was picked for Veronica to paint from the gardens of The Fontill Estate by the head gardener Jack Greenwood.  Dan picked the flower during an open-garden fundraiser hosted on the Estate by the Morrison Family in aid of the Lady Garden Foundation in June 2025, and it was driven at speed to Veronica’s studio 120 miles away the same day for her to paint immediately! 

These paintings will be used in material promoting the garden at Chelsea, including the bespoke logo.