Hopes that Chelsea Flower Show double gold medallists Leeds City Council could make it a hat-trick of wins have been thwarted by a lack of sponsorship.
The council has relied on private sponsors to fund the £250,000 it needs to enter the large outdoor show garden category at the prestigious event.
Backed by Leeds firm Hesco Bastion, the council’s 2010 and 2011 exhibits carried off gold awards.
The company told the council after last year’s show that it would not be sponsoring a 2012 entry and the council has been unable to find an alternative backer.
But plans are on track to reassemble the 2011 garden at Roundhay Park alongside the city’s other Chelsea exhibits.
Coun Adam Ogilvie, executive member for leisure, said: “As a city Leeds can be very proud of its record at the Chelsea Flower Show, making history with successive gold-medal winning gardens which raised the profile of the city all over the world.
Following the tragic death of Jimi Heselden in September 2010 his company HESCO Bastion indicated to us after the 2011 show they would not be able to sponsor a garden to enter the 2012 event and no other possible sponsors were forthcoming, which was no real surprise in the current difficult financial climate.
“Entering an event like Chelsea is a tremendous challenge and undertaking and it simply cannot be done without a sponsor which is why we were unable to enter this year’s show.
“There will still be a great Chelsea-related story for the people of Leeds to enjoy later this summer as last-year’s gold-medal winning waterwheel garden is to be installed in Roundhay Park alongside three other Chelsea gardens, including the canal lock gold winner from the 2010 show.
“Roundhay Park is the only place in the whole country where Chelsea gardens are located all together like this and can be visited for free by anyone, and that is a great testament to the legacy of both Jimi Heselden and everyone involved in creating each one.”
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