Inspiration from the keynote gardens.
What struck me most at this year’s show was how the designers managed to bring their ideas to reality with their gardens. Some took inspiration from nature, as Cleve West did when he looked back on his childhood and discovered an oak woodland, or how Andy Sturgeon represented the idea of the grandeur and space of the Natural History Museum that he used to visit as a child. It’s not just about creating a beautiful garden – it’s about what the designers see, how this vision is interpreted, and what ideas we can take from it.
There were pieces of every garden that I loved, some more than others, but I always come away inspired with a thousand new ideas and a sense of rebooting and excitement for our spring season at home. Here are some of the wonders I picked up from this year’s show.
Easy on the eye
Chris Beardshaw’s spectacular garden was definitely one that I could relate to and learn from, and more than the others perhaps get some take-home ideas. His meadow planting makes use of plenty of herbs, like sweet rocket (Hesperis matronalis), which takes root and seeds itself year after year, emphasising his passion for sustainable planting. The use of different textures like metal, wood and water in a simplistic form with topiaries for balance makes the scene very attractive. Although the ornamentation in the garden probably cost more than the rest of the garden, the results are fun and inspiring. This garden is to be moved to the Great Ormond Street Hospital after the show.
Thought provoking
This story is from the August 2016 edition of The Gardener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2016 edition of The Gardener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A Touch of Class
A cut above the rest and attractive enough to fill all the spaces you can see in your garden or in pots...
Bordering on food aggression!
The economy, fires, drought, Russians, fuel prices, and politicians, dictated what we ate in my youth. The only exception was that Eskom worked...
Quarantining new koi fish
Give your new koi the best start
Big deal GLADIOLI
To get balance in a flower bed, we rely on tall flowering plants to provide height and show off amazing blooms. One of our favourites to plant are gladioli. They might look impressive, come in some gorgeous colours, and are great for a vase, but they are also easy to grow with a few golden rules.
PRETTY FILLER Scabiosa
There are over 70 varieties of Scabiosa (pincushion flower) in both the annuals and perennials categories with arguably some of the best ones local to our country, and excellent pollinator attractors too.
TRIPLE treat
A floral combo that's bursting with colour
CHLOROSIS how to fix it
Chlorosis is not a death sentence for your plants. With prompt identification and the right interventions, you can restore your plants to their lush, vibrant selves.
COREOPSIS 'UpTick'
For an easy-to-grow, tough perennial, with masses of pretty blooms, plant Coreopsis hybrids and watch the bees and butterflies come into your garden.
Decorative Dahlias
With a little basic care, you can grow these showstopping plants in your own backyard with minimal effort.
The beauty of BEGONIAS
For endless colour and a garden that looks vibrant throughout the seasons, these are your go-to choices.