Exhibitors
Show gardens
Carol Smith & Martin Clark Associates
The Spiral Garden
Designer: Carol Smith
Sponsors: M&M Timber, Marshalls, University of Gloucs, Osmose, Steve Cooper, Topglass, Sugarbrooke Nurseries, AC Electrical, Colin Smith Electrical, Craig Smith, Garden Horticulture Company
Contractor: Clark’s Trees Direct and TDH Landscapes
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This garden takes its inspiration from the spiral shape, an ancient symbol of energy and time, and symbolises an inward journey and an outward journey towards rebirth.
An upper inward path leads you into the spiral’s centre where there is a sunken, circular seating area, which represents the circular head of the unfurling fern fond. The outward lower path takes the visitor on the outward journey or rebirth, the experience can be as simple as leaving the ‘tired self’ behind, having been refreshed and relaxed by sitting in the garden.
The garden is of contemporary design using traditional materials. The eye-catching planting scheme aspires to draw the attention of the onlooker by using dramatic contrasts in foliage, shape and colour. Plants are used in groups to emphasise their particular qualities. The planting is designed to take into account the demanding environmental conditions that plants have to survive in today’s climate of similar seasons but also, at times, extreme conditions of heavy or no rainfall, high winds and earth that may be wet on the surface, but dry beneath. The planting scheme demonstrates how colour that will continue through the seasons can be introduced into the garden by using foliage colour in preference to flowers.
A radial deck offers a second choice of entry to the seating area and forms a bridge over a pool, which passes over a large palm-inspired metallic structure. Water trickles off the leaves of the sculpture and forms a curtain of water into the pool, bringing sound and movement to the garden.
With two previous RHS Bronze Medal awards at Chelsea, Carol Smith believes the spiral garden represents restoration and peace, growth, connection and time.