 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
back to garden shows & events index..... Saga show garden celebrates migration of plants
The plants, many of which will be supplied by Jekka McVicar, demonstrate the importance of herbs, not just from an aesthetic point of view, but for their medicinal, culinary and domestic use. Cleve will explore a natural use of herbs together with more familiar perennials to create a low maintenance garden. "Gravel is a wonderful foil for these plants," he says, "It reduces moisture loss and improves draining so not only will the plants look good but they’ll stand more chance of surviving an unpredictable climate." The garden will contain simple lines and generous proportions which will belie the garden's quiet sense of drama and inspiration. A large concrete sculpture at the front of the garden is both striking and serene; it leads the eye seductively along a path, through the herbs, to a quiet space at the back of the garden where a table and chairs offer relaxation. Cleve was inspired by the shorter Oxford English Dictionary's definition of Saga as, "A story of heroic achievement or marvellous adventure" and points out: "Many of us have been influenced by gardens of the past. We also wonder what the future will hold as the way we treat our outdoor space is constantly evolving. The Saga Insurance Garden, however, has its feet firmly in the present, acknowledging its antecedents while allowing enough scope to conjure up its own sense of place and spirit of adventure." Sounds exciting and we wish Cleve well as he develops the garden over the next few months. © Reckless Gardener Magazine 2005 Mill Cottage New Media |
Saga Insurance, sponsors of the 2006 Chelsea Flower Show, have announced their show garden plans for the Show. Designed by Cleve West, the Saga Insurance Garden will celebrate the migration of plants around the world focussing on hardy and half-hardy herbs that can be grown in the UK and how they might be used in a contemporary space.
Buy Online