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RHS Chelsea Flower Show

May 21–25th

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Explore Chelsea

The Brewin Dolphin Garden

Award-winning designer Cleve West reveals how some of his design features can be translated easily for use in your own garden.

“I really like sculpture and topiary is the next best thing...”

  • Topiary

    Use topiary for structure

    The yew topiary in the garden forms one of the main focal points and is something anyone can do at home. Box, yew, holly and bay are all easily clipped into shapes, but keep it simple at first. All you need is a pair of shears and some patience. Be imaginative and remember that pattern repeats can be pleasing on the eye.

  • Papaver commutatum 'Ladybird'

    For hot spots use a bright red poppy

    Papaver commutatum 'Ladybird' provides a pop of colour among the more subdued tones of the rest of the herbaceous planting. It is scattered through the garden to bring everything together. It’s a hardy annual, so easy to grow and will self-seed all over. Although short lived, regular deadheading can extend its season well into September.

  • Well head as sculpture

    Turn something old into something new

    The reclaimed well head that forms the backdrop in the garden is 250 years old, but used in a modern way it makes an imposing piece of sculpture. Look out for similar statement pieces when you’re visiting reclamation yards or antique fairs. Use your imagination to decide how  older pieces can be used, they add personal flair that's a million miles away from anything mass produced.

  • pillars and gate

    Set your gate back into the garden

    The pillars and gate have been set almost a third of the way back into the garden - a clever design technique to draw you into the garden and make it feel more welcoming. It conveys a sense of arrival.

  • pollarded lime

    Give your trees a short back and sides

    The Tilia platyphyllos were chosen for their knarled character, something which lends interesting form to any garden space.  Start with a small tree and once it has grown to the desired height, all the branches and stems can be cut back to the main stem. Mature trees can be given the same treatment (as long as they don't have a TPO). More information about pollarding on the RHS website.

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