The Jurassic Coast Garden was born of a collective desire to construct a first rate show garden at Chelsea, very much inspired by the local region, that could be installed into a fairly average 'real life' plot.

Inspiration for the Garden comes from the ammonite fossils found along the Dorset and East Devon Coastline, England's first and only natural World Heritage Site popularly known as the Jurassic Coast.

The design draws links with the area's prehistoric past and includes specially loaned dinosaur footprints discovered at a local quarry. The Ammonite Seat, skilfully constructed by Dorset craftsmen from local wind-felled oak, forms the hub of the Garden and is centred around a multi-stemmed Cordyline that establishes the theme of the sub-tropical planting.

Specimen Ginko, Auracaria and Tree Ferns, all survivors from Jurassic times, offer direct links to the past, as does the calcareous Purbeck stone used for the rocky backdrop behind the water cascade. The water course ties the Garden together as does the rippled stone pathway, which both make use of the pebbles formed on the ancient sea beds and found in East Devon at the western end of the World Heritage Coastline. This deliberate contrast in stone draws attention to the huge diversity found in the natural materials along this fascinating 95-mile stretch of coastline and all, other than the specially loaned artefacts, are available to creative gardeners throughout the region. Dense, lush planting around the Garden periphery further evoke the spirit of a prehistoric landscape.

Each of the three partners involved in The Jurassic Coast Garden live and work in West Dorset where the climate along the coast and available natural resources are significant factors in their horticultural lives.

Nick William-Ellis, a former landscape architect now garden designer, works from his home in the picturesque village of Cerne Abbas famous for its chalk giant. His work takes him widely across the West Country. Nick's over-riding desire for The Jurassic Coast Garden was that it should be a regional project, supplied and built by local people.

Steve Griffith is the curator of Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens, established in 1765, well-known for its unique botanical collection and a popular tourist destination. The 20-acre site can be found on the coast road between Weymouth and Bridport. Steve, who has travelled as far afield as Chile and Borneo, has published an informative book that has inspired numerous people to use plant varieties otherwise thought to be too tender for the British climate.

Marshall-James Ltd is a garden design and build company from Beaminster, a small market town near Bridport. The business is run by Duncan Marshall and David James and their combination of skills has ensured their involvement in many first class gardens. David is a huge fundraiser within his local community and Duncan finds time for a ten-acre cider apple orchard under planted with sheep and ponies.

The inspiration and efforts of the team are focused not only on the creation of a beautiful garden for the public's pleasure but also on achieving greater awareness of the magnificent region in which the Jurassic Coast can be found and in which the creators of the Garden live and work.

The Dorset and East Devon Coastline was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in December 2001 and is England's first and only natural World Heritage Site. The 95 mile stretch of coastline covers 185 million year's of earth history from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland in Dorset. Dramatic cliffs, secluded coves, coastal stacks and barrier beaches make up this outstanding area of the South West with the tilt of the rocks creating a unique 'walk through time' from 250 million to 65 million years ago. Stunning high level views of the coastline can be obtained from the newly opened Jurassic Coast view point at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.

Devon and Dorset County Councils, the World Heritage Coast, Landers Quarries Ltd and Minister Joinery are proud to sponsor The Jurassic Coast Garden.