The Savills Garden - RHS Chelsea 2007

Chelsea newcomer Linda Bush left a city career to re-train as a garden designer. A graduate of the Inchbald School of Design, she has assisted on two gold medal winning Chelsea Flower Show gardens, but this is her first major design for the show.

'The Hasmead Sand & Ice Garden' addresses concerns about global warming, melting glaciers and expanding deserts. Linda has as a focal point for her garden a large water wall, which looks like cracked ice that is slowly melting. A series of curved dry sandstone walls sweep down from the rear boundary to ground level at the front of the garden. Boulders jut out at angles and moss, alpines and grasses merge and soften the edge between the ice and the surrounding planting. This area will be lit at night.

Key plants have a water-efficient character, ideal for areas which have periodic water shortages. All plants are suited to an open, sunny and well-drained garden. Touches of lilac and purple will provide contrast and lift and architectural plants, such as Elaeagnus 'Quicksilver'’ and Stipa gigantean will add height. Acacia trees along the rear boundary wall will add balance to the planting.

Hasmead PLC, Managing Director, Jonathon Todd is delighted to have been accepted to build a show garden: "I am especially excited about the climatic change theme of the garden designed by Chelsea newcomer Linda Bush," he says. "Gardeners have a responsibility to use nature's resources appropriately and work with our climate, not against it. The Hasmead landscape team are all looking forward to returning to the show after a three year break and with another strong conservation message which will be brought to life via Linda’s striking design."

Linda knows she is in capable hands with the build of her garden and realises that it is up to her to deliver the "goods and secure a medal". She commented: "It's wonderful to be given this opportunity and I’ll do everything in my power to bring back the gold".

‘The Hasmead Sand & Ice Garden' sounds an exciting concept and' we wish Linda and the Hasmead Team well in the coming weeks.