VISITORS to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this week could be the last to see a Chelsea display from our own ‘Queen of Herbs’.

Organic herb specialist Jekka McVicar from Alveston won her fourteenth gold medal in what she claims to be her last ever exhibit in the Grand Floral Pavilion, entitled ‘The Power of Plants.’ The medal takes her tally of RHS gold medals to an astonishing 62.

Jekka had originally planned to create a show garden for 2009, in collaboration with esteemed designer Cleeve West, but when sponsors Neal’s Yard pulled out the ideal was shelved.

Fortunately, Jekka was awarded space in the pavilion with a display which is double the size of her previous exhibits and with twice as many herbs on show.

The design is centered around a rill which is bordered with Angelicas and and under-planted with Valerian and Celery Leaf. The display is edged with Foxgloves, Woad, Poppies, Milk thistle and Caraway.

Jekka is keen to illustrate the medicinal power of all herbs, some of which are often perceived as weeds in gardens, including dandelion and nettle.

"The garden is totally different from the one we had originally planned," said a nervous Jekka, prior to judging.

"It’s twice as big as anything I’ve done before and I’m really pleased, especially with the vibrant yellow of the Angelica set against fennel.

"I’m very tired but it’s all worth it."

However, the introduction of ‘weeds’ into the show garden was not the only controversy Jekka caused this week, as her gnome mascot ‘Borage’ was ousted from her display by RHS officials.

Jekka admitted that this wasn’t the first time that Borage had ventured to Chelsea - where gnomes are banned from exhibits – but it was the first time that he had been spotted.

"It’s just to show that gardening is fun and gardeners do have a sense of humour," said Jekka, who is herself a member of the RHS ruling council.

Elsewhere in the show, Bristol-born James May courted most of the media attention with his garden made entirely out of plasticine.

"No one told me they had to be real flowers!’ quipped the popular Top Gear presenter, who received an RHS Special Letter for his efforts to get children out in the garden to play.

The Daily Telegraph Garden, designed by Ulf Nordfjell, was named as Best in Show with its fusion of modern Swedish style with traditional English elements.

The RHS Chelsea Flower show runs until Sunday. Although tickets are now sold out, there is daily coverage on BBC TV.