Cardiff: Capital for Shopping

Sponsored by

Cardiff Council

Designed by

Cardiff County Council Parks Service Department

Built by

Cardiff Council, Landcraft Projects Ltd

Web

www.cardiff.gov.uk/parks

Flower shows are full of shopping opportunities and RHS Cardiff is no different. One garden at this years’ show has shopping securely on the agenda. Cardiff: Capital for Shopping has been designed to promote and celebrate the variety of shopping experiences within the city centre to coincide with the opening of the major new retail development, St David’s that opened in Cardiff in October 2009.

The garden had its debut at the 2009 RHS Chelsea Flower Show where it attracted celebrity attention and a coveted Silver Gilt medal from the Chelsea judges. Recreated in all its splendor at RHS Cardiff 2010, it’s a fabulous horticultural representation of the arcade style of new and heritage shopping areas.

The detail and imagination is extraordinary. Themed shop window displays interpret a variety of typical shops with surprising reflections on their wares. A jewellery shop is filled with boxes of delicate herbs. Floral necklaces on mirrors and silver and golden leaved plants set the scene. A sumptuous display of fruit and vegetables depicts the greengrocers, while a modern style delicatessen is adorned with salad bowls of echeverias and cheese boxes filled with herbs and more. A hamper of herbs and salads and mugs planted with herbs add further interest. 

Other details include recycled shopping bags used as planters for flamboyant begonias. Arches and trellis represent shopping arcades, both modern and vintage, which are represented by contemporary and traditional materials.