A COUPLE who paint together have added their artistic talent to a show garden in London.

Roger and Ruth Ellis have painted a structure within a garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

The couple from Ullingswick, near Bromyard, was called in by Paul Hervey-Brookes, the internationally-acclaimed landscape designer, to add their talent to The Viking Cruises World of Discovery Garden.

The Ellis’ role was to paint the structure within the garden to ‘age’ it and make it look as if it is an established old building, rather than something that has been transported to Hampton for the week.

Roger said: "We have worked with Paul before and know him quite well. He asked us to and we were really pleased to help him out."

The couple has lived in the county for 25 years and they are well known for painting illustrated maps

Roger said: "We do all kinds of different sorts of work. We specialise in faux finishes, making something look like something it is not, and special effects in paint. We have been doing it for about 30 years. We have done work in New York, Paris, Africa and the Caribbean. All sorts of interesting things."

They also enjoy running art classes on a Tuesday and Wednesday from their studio.

Roger said: "I do feel Herefordshire is leading the way, in some ways, in art. There are so many people here working in the field and a lot of talent around if you look."

The Viking Cruises World of Discovery Garden is inspired by a couple’s travels across the world and incorporates plants that grow in far-flung places, inspired by locations visited, and includes herbs and flowering plants in a soft and romantic colour palette. The show is on from July 4 to 9.