The Russian Museum Garden

Garden designer Heather Appleton offers words of wisdom on her design

Following her gold success last year, Heather Appleton returns, this time introducing visitors to the Russian Museum in St Petersburg.

How did you link up with the Russian Museum?

It was through contacts of Twig, the landscape company I work with. We heard the Russian Museum, which hosts the St Petersburg International Flower Festival was looking for ways to attract British Designers to exhibit at the show in 2013. So we went to St Petersburg to meet them and suggested that a Russian Museum show garden at Hampton Court Palace would be a good idea. They agreed, and commissioned me to design it, which was great.

Did they commission the garden that you presented?

No, I went there thinking Fabergé eggs and ballet, but changed tack when I saw the Russian Museum and its incredible collection of art – it was absolutely amazing. That was it for me; there were so many different sources of inspiration.

What was so remarkable about it?

They have a unique collection that traces the entire history of Russian art from the 10th to the 21st centuries and it’s completely fascinating to see a visual narration of times past to present.

So how have you captured St Petersburg in your garden?

The onion-shaped cupolas which define the city skyline are echoed in the form of the clipped hornbeams. Water is important - St Petersburg is dissected by rivers and canals, - one of the museum buildings is actually moated, so we have a moat as well. We have included references to the work of Russia’s most famous avant-garde artist, Kazimir Malevich, with a representation of his Black Square at the back of the garden and Black Circle which forms the seating area. The boundary fence echoes the abundance of wrought iron in the city - and of course, we had to include some matryoshka dolls!

So public perception of it being gloomy is completely misguided?

I did have a few misgivings before I went, but my suppositions couldn’t have been more wrong. It is a really vibrant city, resonating with romance and glamour and the people are really charming; I found they had a terrific sense of humour and what’s more, the food was great!

What other surprises does the city have to offer visitors?

The architecture is simply jaw-dropping. The city actually has the look of Paris, but it’s more open. Everything is highly decorated - it’s quite breathtaking; for instance every one of the 342 bridges is a work of art. We really could have done with a lot more than two days there, and I, for one, can’t wait to go back for the Flower Festival next year.