Charles picks up a few gardening tips

It was a meeting of minds as Prince Charles showed off the garden he has designed for this year's Chelsea Flower Show to the TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh.

The Prince of Wales chatted excitedly with the presenter of BBC's Ground Force gardening show about the display for the 2002 Laurent-Perrier Harpers and Queen garden.

Charles said he had called it The Healing Garden because it comprises plants with medicinal and culinary uses and those which are otherwise useful to people.

Jinny Blom, with whom he collaborated on the project, said: "I have the greatest respect for the way in which His Royal Highness champions our native landscape, our collective medicine cupboard, rather than allow it to become folklore in an increasingly urban world.

"The garden is as rich in information as it is in beauty. Its originality and naturalistic planting will combine to make a memorable spectacle for all visitors to Chelsea to enjoy."

The show runs from May 21 to 24. Tickets, which cost up to £28, must be bought in advance by visiting the website www.rhs.org.uk or by calling 0870 906 3781.