RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2022: “A Journey” Global Impact Show Garden
In collaboration with Sue Ryder
This conceptual garden told a story of a journey of grief, with an evolving planting palette and sculptural oak posts and cobbles describing the transition through shock, all-consuming grief and acceptance and hope.
“That was my favourite garden. That was spot on, you really captured the emotions that we go through”
Upon entering the garden, vibrant and jewel-like planting offset the beautiful French limestone paving. Helenium Moerheim Beauty and Lupin Salmon Star gave pops of intense colour, whilst the underrated Lorapetalum Chinese Black Pearl provided a sultry backdrop, allowing the jewel colours to sing.
The planting softened as you descended the bespoke limestone and oak inset steps, with intricate airiness provided by Artemisia abrotanum Coca Cola. The lichen on the Acer ginnala provided a delicate contrast with Astrantia Buckland.
The textures of dry-arid planting such as Eryngium yuccifolium and Stachys Silver Carpet stood up to the architectural intensity of the oak posts. The greys of the foliage toned with the buff cotswold gravel evoked Mediterranean-style schemes. The planting in this area required little irrigation, showcasing the environmentally conscious types of planting we can expect to see over coming years.
The planting transition ended on a much softer note, with gentle hues of pinks and purples. A real favourite amongst visitors was the ethereal Verbena bampton - sparkling jewels amongst the romantic pinks and whites.
“ I wanted to say what a privilege it was to walk through your garden with you today. I had tears welling up behind my sunglasses. I doubt you had any visitors today who couldn’t relate to those feelings of grief. Described so beautifully in the way you had planted and what you planted too.”
The garden was designed in collaboration with my friend Becca Nash.
It was sensationally crafted by Phil Sutton Landscapes.
Thank you to Creepers Nursery, Allgreen Group and Artisan’s of Devizes for helping to make it a reality.