Exhibitors
Courtyard gardens
Avant Garde
Over the hills and far away
Designers: Kevin Cooper (Avant Garde) & Linda Fairman
Sponsors: Hadlow Horticultural College, Luddesdown Organic Farm, Kent Downs Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty
Contractor: Avant Garde
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The design captures the essence of the Kentish countryside using a mixture of ornamental plants and British wildflowers and grasses. It creates the illusion of an expanse of landscape within a small private space, including seating areas for sun and shade.
The theme for this garden is a magical representation of the natural and symbolic aspects of the Kentish countryside, with the title summing up a collective hope that adventure lies somewhere over the horizon.
Composed of nine zones, the focal point for this garden is a small island of planting with a tall silver birch tree emphasising the foreground against the rolling hills at the back of the design. A flint wall runs along the left side and links to a Neolithic chamber with ferns and a waterfall, which adds yet another dimension to the garden.
On the opposite side there is a small lawn area of meadow grass, while a hedgerow of mixed planting and British wildflowers and grasses, which will attract wildlife, provides the boundary to the right.