VISIONSINCONCRETE &RUSTATCHELSEA…
VISIONSINCONCRETE &RUSTATCHELSEA…
Rusted iron, concrete and
acrylic are "in" when it
comes to garden design, as
Tessa Gates discovers at
Chelsea Flower Show
CONCRETE has never looked more colourful and cement manufacturers Blue Circle must be thrilled with the garden created by sculptor Carole Vincent, who brings a whole new dimension to this normally grey product.
She has recreated her own tiered garden in Cornwall for the show and everything from the steps and seats to the ornamental cones and orbs are cast in a mix of marble aggregate and white cement and pigment to provide a beautiful setting for a host of plants (picture 1).
Rusted iron is something farmers are familiar with but who would think of making it into a garden feature? Andy Sturgeon of course, designer of the Circ Contemporary Mans Garden. Apparently rough and rugged masculine textures appeal to the image-conscious man – but if you forget the hype, and possibly the rusted iron wall, the rusted plant containers (picture 2) and plant clad arched walkway look very effective.
Acrylic furniture and fountains were used in many gardens. David Harber Sundials (picture 3) use it to intriguing effect in the globes and statuary that count the hours on sunny days. Other garden enhancers were the David Goode bronzes of goblins such as The Little Drinker who comes at a not-so-little price of £4500.
There was a starry gathering in the very pretty Lifetime Care Garden – themed on the 60s to mark the 40th anniversary of Help the Aged. The garden was pretty, colourful and trimmed without a "feature" in sight, unless you count the Mini Cooper in the garage. Celebrities from the era – most of whom are still household names – looked at it with nostalgia, among them (picture 4, left to right) Bella Emberg, Lionel Blair, Pete Murray, Liz Smith, Michael Aspel, Paddy Hopkirk, Carmen Silvera and David Jacobs.
A real community effort went into producing the 12C apothecarys garden bearing the motto of the Isle of Wight as its title – All This Beauty is of God – entered by Brighstone and District Horticultural Society, IOW (picture 5). Medicinal plants such as common sage for longevity and thyme to help dullness of sight were nurtured in pots made by Brighstone primary school children, and local people of all ages helped make the wattle and daub hut and ancient tools. Even Parkhurst prisoners contributed – they made the plant labels.
Trying to remain calm amid the bustle of the floral art marquee were farmers wives Vanessa Higgins of Henneys Farm, Lower Quinton, Warks, and Mary Smith of Radbrook Farm, Preston-on-Stour, Warks (picture 6). Representing Avon Evening Flower Club, they had opted for a wine theme for their entry, Vintage Years. Woody clematis represented the vines with Red Passion roses and amaranthus used for the wine. More farming faces could be found near the magnificent display of fruit and veg (picture 7) where NFU vice president Michael Paske and Sainsburys director of fresh produce Ian Merton were justly proud of their joint stand.