A display by a Sussex horticulturalist has caught the eye at the Chelsea Flower Show – before it has even opened.

Tony Smith’s installation features dozens of green perspex rods to create a cage-like display with orchids, ferns and tulips growing inside.

Mr Smith, of Haywards Heath, said the structure, which is six metres long, three metres wide and two metres tall, was designed to represent two of the seven deadly sins.

He said: "I was thinking of the phrase 'green with envy', and then thought about how people can get quite envious about other people's gardens, which leads to desire.

"Tulips, ferns and orchids are all plants which have been highly collectable at different times, so I've used white ones to show that it's no fault of their own, while the grass and lights inside are green and red, the colours of desire and envy."

He said the making of his elaborate creation had not been hampered by the rain, but more by the dusty conditions at the site, which led to some of the perspex being damaged.

Mr Smith exhibit is part of the show's Fresh area, a category introduced this year for innovative design and new ideas and concepts.

Deputy show manager Sarah Easter said she was impressed with the originality of some of this year's exhibitors.

She said: "They're always pushing the boundaries in terms of what's possible in the time. What they create in the timescale is incredible.

"We've seen a big trend in topiary at the show, which wasn't very expected. It's quite a traditional planting form which has made a comeback. We've an F1 car made of topiary."

She said the build-up to the five-day show had been the wettest for 100 years but should only make the plants look better.

"It's been very cold and very wet, it's been absolutely incredible. The rain has been very welcome, the show will look beautiful and lush.

"Last year it was so hot and dry we barely had any grass, this year it's going to look beautiful."

But she said the rain had led to muddy conditions at the site, meaning the show's team have been scraping off top layers of soil to give exhibitors a fresh surface to work on, while they have been pumping out puddles in exhibits.

Ms Easter said many of the plants used every year were weather-dependent.

She added: "In terms of plants we have quite a lot of substitutions, designers all have back-up plants if they're not going to be ready in time for the show.

"Quite a lot of times, the gardeners will substitute their plants."

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will tour the event in private on Monday, while celebrities will also get a first look.

The flower show, which has been held in the grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital since 1913, will be open to the public from Tuesday.