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Tatton Blooms despite the clouds
Tatton provides a wonderful launch pad for our aspiring new designers and this year there are around 20 garden designers who are involved in displaying gardens at the show for the first time. There are 47 gardens in the Show and Back to Back categories as well as the fabulous displays in the Floral and Plant Society Marquees. There does seem to be an overpowering trend for Tree Ferns this year, but that notwithstanding, Tatton is always a feast of fiery reds such as Crocosmia 'Lucifer', Dahlia 'Bishop of Landaff' and Penstemons such as 'Firebird' and 'Chester Scarlet'. The cool greens of the Hosta family and the wispy grace of Miscanthus strutt their stuff, not to mention the proud Agapanthus who sit there and shout – come look at me - I call them plants with an attitude and they shout summer is here, no matter what the weather inclines to do.
'The Bubble Garden', (Anthony Nolan Trust) designed by Heather Appleton (pictured above), who is exhibiting for the first time at Tatton, is a delightful garden. The RHS judges agreed, awarding the garden a gold medal and 'Best in Show' for its category. Inspired by the poignant photograph of Anthony Nolan and his mum blowing bubbles, it uses a simple planting of wispy grasses that appear to support heavier flower globes and alludes to how those who are weakened by life-threatening illness can gain strength in the knowledge that so many people on the register are willing to share their bone marrow with them. Blues, whites and yellows combine to give a soft gentle sheen to this garden.
Proving that you can have a productive garden as well as an attractive one in which to relax, Suttons 'Growing for Health' Garden (pictured above), designed by Kevin & Suzanne Dunne, promotes family health through grow your own in a garden which addresses environmental concerns as well as concerns about climate change. The garden, which was awarded a sliver gilt medal, carefully balances vegetables, fruit and flowers with a patio area and greenhouse.
Promoting a feeling of wellbeing is what gardens are all about and 'The Brewin Dolphin Garden', designed by Robert Frier (pictured above), shows us an uncompromisingly smart and aspirational garden to suit a place in the sun. Its triumph is an uncomplicated design with smooth, simple classical lines.
It was good to see Phillippa Probert back at Tatton again after her triumph of last year, this time with a show garden. 'Forest Fusion' (pictured above) is an outdoor space to do everyday things, with lush tropical planting based on a temperate forest but set in an urban surrounding. What I liked about this garden was that it would be easy to recreate the planting in your own garden if you wanted to get that lush warm feel and despite the dullest moments of the day, this garden really did make you feel in relaxed and holiday mode. The Garden was awarded silver gilt.
'Tetrad' designed by Matthew Unwin (pictured above) is a really exceptional garden made all the more dramatic by the clever use of reclaimed stone, which apparently came from a Bank in Scotland, and which will return to the reclamation yard at the end of the show to be used again. The four-sided water shoots are complemented with colourful planting in each element, giving the garden a fresh and strong feel.
Awarded a gold medal, The Prince's Trust Garden 'A Personal Journey', designed by Janine Crimmins, (pictured above & below) is a luscious garden of reds mixed with the green of box and yellow Crocosmia. The fiery colours represent passion and energy which are tempered by cool blues and purples. There is quite a lot to see in this garden and its good to know that it will be rebuilt after the show at the Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service in Winsford.
Gardens are not always about houses and this year The Cater Allen Private Bank Garden, designed by Jamie Dunstan is designed to complement a suite at a boutique hotel. Good mix of evergreen and seasonal planting in a relaxed and contemporary garden. In the Back to Back Garden category 'The Slate Banquet', designed by Jane Parker, is I think outstanding. Awarded a Silver Gilt, this garden (pictured below) depicts an area for outdoor dining in the wilds of an abandoned Welsh slate quarry. It is the first time Jane has designed a garden for Tatton and she has sponsored the garden herself. There is so much to see in this garden, not in a profusion of colourful planting, because really there isn't any but in the wonderfully careful interpretation of that abandoned slate quarry and those magical blocks of slate on the walls from which all manner of ferns grow.
After a downpour this garden just zinged to life – as she told her team at the start of the build-up 'Visitors that move in perpetual motion as they walk around the show gardens must be stopped in their tracks or we have failed' - well if its any consolation Jane you stopped me in my tracks - loved it.
'The Herbal Tea Party', (pictured above) designed by Jacqui Brocklehurst features an oriental-style pergola reflecting influences of the east – there are all manner of interesting plants in this garden so its worth taking time to ponder and reflect. The planting is bright but with gentle colours – pot marigolds, fennel and bergamot provide the colour infusion with the gentle allure of butterfly lavenders.
'Among the flowers', (awarded gold and pictured above) designed by Fiona Johnson and David Stubbins for the Children's Hospice South West, features the most amazing tree water feature which is also a seat carved from a large piece of fallen ash. The children can sit and perhaps imagine being up in a tree with the sound and sight of water pouring out from the natural bole in the side. All the plants have been chosen for their sensory qualities and also their ability to attract birds and insects. This garden has a real homely feel to it and successfully combines the use of a small space for flowers, vegetables and salad crops. As a resident of the Lake District I couldn't miss 'Lake District Reflections', designed by Andrew Loudon. I'm back to the slate again, but this really is a wonderful medium in any garden, and Andrew successfully illustrates how traditional local materials and techniques can be used in a contemporary garden.
The beautiful colours of the Mediterranean warmed me under the dull skies when I came across 'Siesta', designed by Andrew Walker. This garden (pictured above) which was awarded gold, has a pleasing appeal from whichever direction you look at it. At its heart there is a stone patio mosaic which is surrounded by colour-washed raised beds with warm hot colours. So no matter what the weather does this week it won't dampen the spirit and warmth of Tatton – there is lots to see and enjoy no matter what the weather does. © Reckless Gardener Magazine 2005 - 2007 Mill Cottage New Media |
The 29 acres of showground which host the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show may be subject to a few downpours this week and may even be shrouded under dull skies on occasions, but nothing will dampen the sunshine created by the mass of colour enjoyed by everyone at this friendly flower show.
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