Orchestral gardens make sweet music

A new category introduced in the 2012 show

This year sees the introduction of a new category called Orchestra Gardens. Designers have been given a brief to create a garden reflecting either the brass, strings or percussion part of an orchestra

Designer Alexandra Froggatt returns to the RHS Shows, after winning Gold in the Urban gardens category at the London Plant & Design Show. Her Orchestral Garden, Air on a Green String, is inspired by violins in an orchestra. Expect to see a colour palette of red, pink and ivory-white flowers with fine foliage, box topiary trained in the shape of a violin’s f-sound hole, and painted violins and cellos overgrown with plants, suspended from a pergola.

RHS Flower Show regular, Alan Gardner, who designed the Blackpool Football Club garden at last year's show, has aptly called his garden Brass. This garden will be full of classical plants, representing classical music. He has dedicated it in memory to his fellow Tatton Park exhibitor Ann Picot, who also designed a football garden last year.

The Science of Strings, designed by Brendan Vaughan & Leon Davis is inspired by the science behind the sound produced by string instruments. In the centre of the garden will be a feature made up of a series of stainless steel wires connected to an archway; planted in front will be a selction of grasses and lavendar reflecting the notes of sting instruments

Not to be confused with The Science of Strings, The Strings Garden by Michael Vinsun has been designed to incorporate stringed musical instruments with water. The combination of pool, planting of native waterside vegetation, and structural elements aims to echo rhythmic sound waveforms.

Young designer Owen Morgan has opted for the percussion side of an orchestra by designing his garden, To The Beat, on a drum. The abstract design featuring a central rippling pool representing the vibration of a drum head. Owen also designed an Urban garden at the London Plant & Design show, winning a Silver Flora award.

Bob Sweet, Head of Shows Development at the RHS, said: 'We are delighted to introduce the Orchestra Gardens to the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park this year. Creative and fun, these gardens illustrate the Show’s innovative approach to garden design.'