Reckless Gardener talks to Chris Beardshaw about the power of community gardening and the challenge of the Urban Oasis message.

For the first time ever, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has worked in partnership with community charity Groundwork to bring an exhibit to every RHS Show this season.

The exhibits were all designed by Landscape Designer, author, broadcaster and Chelsea Gold Medal winner, Chris Beardshaw, who was set the challenge of highlighting to over 650,000 flower show visitors the power of community gardening.

Read more: Urban Oasis gardens raise profile of community gardening

Thorp Perrow Aboretum, not far from the historic town of Bedale in the Yorkshire Dales, is the creation of one man, Sir Leonard Ropner Bt., (1895-1977), who amassed one of the finest private collections of trees in the country.

The 85 acre site, set in over 1000 acres of parkland, was bought by William Ropner Bt., in 1927, but it was to be his son, Sir Leonard, whose passion and love for trees led to the creation of this delightful Aboretum.

Read more: Thorp Perrow Aboretum – Yorkshire Dales Secret Garden