Inspirational show gardens

Chris Young, Editor of The Garden magazine, highlights three garden designs at this year's show.

At this year's RHS Cardiff Flower Show 2012, there are a range of garden styles and designs that suit different tastes. Chris Young, Editor of The Garden magazine, looks at three choice designs.

Naturalistic

This garden uses a restricted range of plants and materials to create a space that is intimate and relaxing. At the front of the garden white spiraea 'Arguta', box balls, artemisia and Polemonium yezoense var. hidakanum 'Bressingham Purple' give a great early spring combination.

The scalloped mounds of turf, located at each corner of the garden, hold the central area of planting and seating. At the front of the garden, tall stems of Betula utilis var. jacquemontii give height and vertical structure while at the rear, the same trees have been multi-stemmed to give a more intimate feel.

Sinuous Brecon sandstone dry-stone walls bring movement to the space, and reclaimed timber planks give plenty of space to sit back and take in the garden's lovely atmosphere.

A Dream Journey

Bedding displays are not often considered at this time of year, but in this ingenious garden, a 'train' has been recreated using a range of succulents and low-growing plants. Low-growing silver leafed Helichrysum italicum 'Korma', Rhodiola pachyclados (syn. Sedum pachyclados), Sedum 'Gold Mound' and purple-leaved Alternanthera 'Gold Mound' all combine to make a strong focal point full of colour and texture.

The garden is split into two halves depicting a train journey: one side represents the natural landscape, and the other side, at the front of the train, the 'dreamscape' a passenger feels as they pass through the British countryside.

Off The Shelf

The concept of this design is quite simple: to create an achievable garden whose elements can be bought ‘off the shelf’ from any garden centre or building materials manufacturer. It is a highly achievable garden that really delivers: from the polished sandstone planks (measuring 900 x 150 x 22mm - 35x 6 x 1in) to the range of grasses, herbs and shrubs that are easily available; the £30 plastic containers (used for both growing plants as well as the central water feature) to the wooden sleepers that form an edge to the space. The result is a clean, modern and realistic space.