Royal Horticultural Society - RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2008

Renowned landscape designer Arabella Lennox-Boyd talks to Reckless Gardener about her exciting design for Chelsea.

Arabella Lennox- Boyd has always been struck by the sense of tranquillity created in Japanese gardens. Her design for the Daily Telegraph Garden, at this year's Chelsea Flower Show, draws inspiration from the purity of design found in Japanese gardens while combining this with the romanticism of English planting schemes.

Such a combination promises strong visual qualities as well as precision but what concepts were in her mind when she planned the design? "The garden is an exercise in simplicity and restraint- and my key thoughts have been how to do this best in an English setting, suitable for this country today. I have been quoted that the garden is about two rocks, water and a tree and that is it. It is restrained - not overtly modern, contemporary and not Japanese - just simple."

In bringing together these two strands of design Arabella has tried to use the idea of restraint and simplicity taken from the Japanese tradition and use it in an English way through her choice of materials and plants: "As there are no styles which I am following except for my own, there is no problem in combining anything! It is all part of my vision for this garden."

The garden, by its use of understatement and simplicity of design, aims to add dignity and grace - it's unique statement being a reaction to the busy planting of previous RHS Chelsea Flower Shows - promising to be quite a radical concept: "Ever since I visited Japan I felt there was much I could use from their tradition in this hectic modern world," explains Arabella. "Chelsea has given me the opportunity to explore this idea further."

She is very excited about her appearance once again at Chelsea after an eight year absence but she admits that it is a little nerve wracking in this very late spring. She first exhibited at Chelsea in 1990 and she is the winner of a total of five Chelsea Gold Medals. In 1998 she was also awarded Best Garden.

The late spring will be causing problems to all who are preparing for Chelsea and Arabella is no exception: "The main problem is the weather - plants are behind and we need sun to help everything along."

There is a strong emphasis on water in the design which reflects light and provides meditative reflection for the mind. Purbeck stone will be used to encase a pool of water and carefully positioned rocks will rise up and break the water’s surface. Lush planting will soften the water’s edge and provide a foil to the hard landscaping.

"The water in my garden occupies the same role as gravel does in a Japanese garden", she explained. "It helps create the feeling of calm and peace, of one unified flat restful surface with the slate path and waterlilies flowing gently through it. I have always loved using water and feel that it works well in a show setting."

Plants for the garden have been chosen for their strong visual qualities - large leaves and grey foilage, falling roses and rounded shrubs - water lilies that form ribbon-like waves across the surface of the pool in the same way sand and gravel is raked to evoke waves in Japanese Zen gardens.

This exciting garden will occupy a prime site on the Main Avenue at the Chelsea Flower Show and is certainly going to be one of the talking points this year.