What caught the eye of the Reckless team at Hampton
Centrifugal Chic caught our eye at Hampton this year. An Art Deco design with strong geometry, the garden is designed for a contemporary young couple but we felt could also just as easily be adapted for an older or disabled gardener who perhaps couldn't cope with traditional gardening any longer. The garden (awarded Bronze Flora) was designed by Stephen Granger for Oaklands College. We loved the copper-clad beds which were planted with lush jungle foliage - one of the strengths of this design was the lush planting in such a confined space.
Another garden which really made use of a small area was La Dolce Vita from Writtle College, designed by Andrea Lowe Garden Design. (Pictured left) Again this garden could well be adapted for those less able to garden at lower levels. Designed to show how to maximise on minimal space it is aimed at people living in town houses with tiny pocket gardens.
The Girlguiding Scrapheap Challenge garden was full of ideas which anyone could utilise in their gardens. Designed by Sheila Fishwick for Girlguiding UK, the garden was awarded Bronze Flora. The garden, created in the corner of a scrapyard, was full of lively and interesting "discarded" containers which were effectively used for plants. The path made from inverted bottles, the old teapots and pans used for succulents and the old tractor tyres, all made perfect planting partners.
Gardens are all about romanticism and Le Jardin Perdu, designed by Claudia de Yong for the Dorset Water Lily Company (Silver-Gilt) was certainly romantic. The ruins of an Old Abbey, secluded and neglected, where the Knights Templar used to stay and rest, perfectly captured a sense of romance and secrets. The lily pond at its focal point with the most beautiful water lilies.
Checkmate, (pictured above right) designed by J H Hewitt (Gold) is a small courtyard garden looking back in time to the use of traditional materials. Tudor bricks in a herringone pattern form the central path leading the eye to a flint alcove containing a small water basin. This was a delightful small garden and justly deserved its Gold. The use of ridge tiles for a wall was innovative and effective and the planting relaxing.
Berkshire College of Agriculture brought us Trinity (Bronze), (pictured left) one of the large show gardens with the emphasis on the concept of trinity, three distinct elements combining to make a united whole. The central sculpture, designed by John Applegarth, is powerful, the planting simply sumptious - designed to challenge and to inspire independent thought.
Finally, for those who would like to try their hand at creating their very own wholesome garden, A Taste of Sussex, from Girlforce Gardens Limited (Silver Flora), will be an inspiration. Willow, hazel and chestnut fencing surrounds an easily achievable garden, to grow plants which are all edible and grown without chemicals. The leaping bronze frog perfectly set off this garden - it was a nice touch.
Centrifugal Chic caught our eye at Hampton this year. An Art Deco design with strong geometry, the garden is designed for a contemporary young couple but we felt could also just as easily be adapted for an older or disabled gardener who perhaps couldn't cope with traditional gardening any longer. The garden (awarded Bronze Flora) was designed by Stephen Granger for Oaklands College. We loved the copper-clad beds which were planted with lush jungle foliage - one of the strengths of this design was the lush planting in such a confined space.
The Girlguiding Scrapheap Challenge garden was full of ideas which anyone could utilise in their gardens. Designed by Sheila Fishwick for Girlguiding UK, the garden was awarded Bronze Flora. The garden, created in the corner of a scrapyard, was full of lively and interesting "discarded" containers which were effectively used for plants. The path made from inverted bottles, the old teapots and pans used for succulents and the old tractor tyres, all made perfect planting partners.
Gardens are all about romanticism and Le Jardin Perdu, designed by Claudia de Yong for the Dorset Water Lily Company (Silver-Gilt) was certainly romantic. The ruins of an Old Abbey, secluded and neglected, where the Knights Templar used to stay and rest, perfectly captured a sense of romance and secrets. The lily pond at its focal point with the most beautiful water lilies.