Written by NDA Garden Design tutor Gill Lotter
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is always a wonderful source of inspiration. But the amount of gardens and constant information on trends, tips and guests attending can be quite overwhelming. Here, our Garden Design Tutor, Gill Lotter, highlights some of her favourites and ideas that can be translated to our own designs, meaning your garden will be perfectly on-trend.
The M&G Garden
Andy Sturgeon, The M&S Garden at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Andy Sturgeon, The M&S Garden at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Andy Sturgeon, The M&S Garden at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Andy Sturgeon, The M&S Garden at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Resembling rock formations, Andy Sturgeon’s inspiring use of burnt-oak timber could quite easily be translated to a smaller scale for sculptural interest or screening. Andy won the Best in Show Award for this year’s show, meaning his presentations are the ones to watch with a keen eye!
The Morgan Stanley Garden
Chris Beardshaw, The Morgan Stanley Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Chris Beardshaw, The Morgan Stanley Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Chris Beardshaw, The Morgan Stanley Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Chris Beardshaw, The Morgan Stanley Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Designers continue to inspire us with their garden as seen here, in the steam bent timber of the Dubai Mjalis Garden and in Chris Beardshaw’s pod for the Morgan Stanley Garden. On the garden, the RHS say “lush planting with meticulous attention to detail combined, with a smart relaxation constructed of bronze, copper and dark wood makes this garden feel luxurious and opulent.”
The Kingston Maurward Garden
Miles Stone: The Kingston Maurward Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Miles Stone: The Kingston Maurward Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
In the Kingston Maurward Garden, the wall demonstrates an imaginative way to use a limited amount of natural stone, combined with concrete block and rendering to minimise costs but create textural interest. Speaking on the garden, the RHS said “The planting creates a calming, romantic space inspired by the rich history of plant collections at KMC. From the woody bank emerges woodland understory and edge plants – Dryopteris, Polypodium, Aquilegia, Digitalis, Leucojum, Brunnera, Ajuga and Viola passing into the sunny meadow of Hakonechlora, Acorus, Anethum, Mentha, Soleirolia and Thymus”.
Walker’s Forgotten Quarry Garden
Graham Bodle, Walker’s Forgotten Quarry Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Graham Bodle, Walker’s Forgotten Quarry Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Graham Bodle, Walker’s Forgotten Quarry Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Walker’s Forgotten Quarry Garden, the Silver Gilt medal winner, reminds us that garden sculptures and art installations can be found in the most unusual of places, adding fun and individuality. The cleverly selected yews with their copper bark and the coppery coloured geums create harmony, while other fiery coloured blooms punctuate the scheme with popping colour.
What were your favourites from the show this year? If all the coverage has plucked your interest in designing your own garden, then our Diploma in Professional Garden Design may be perfect.
