Exhibitors
SHOW GARDENS
| COURTYARD
GARDENS | CHIC
GARDENS | CITY
GARDENS
PLANTS | FLORAL
ART | LIFELONG
LEARNING | MARKET
PLACE
Show gardens
Leeds City Council
The Leeds City Council Garden
Designer:
Leeds Parks and Countryside Services
Sponsor: Munroe K
Contractor: Leeds Parks and Countryside Services
Click here to view a panorama of this garden.
Click on the image to view a hi-res version
The concept and creation of the garden is testament to both the success of a city that leads nationally in commerce and regeneration and the partnerships between the City Council and local entrepreneurs.
The objective of the design is to highlight the industrial heritage, and the current prosperity of Leeds. As well as using old and new materials the form of the garden has been inspired by the shapes of garment templates from Leeds’ historic clothing industry.
Standing in front of the garden to the left the view is framed by a low Photinia hedge, which flows around to a recreation of a fragment of an old mill wall. This is constructed using an old style brick with a white distressed finish reminiscent of the traditional, whitewash finish in mills. At the right hand side as the wall turns the corner it is superseded by a stainless steel wall evoking modern Leeds architecture. Here the innovative patterning of the steel surface recalls the water, reeds and sky, which make up Fairburn Ings nature reserve, in Leeds.
Overall the planting is designed to contrast with the dark greens and reds of the Photinia hedge: in the older part of the garden to the left (as viewed from the front) this theme is achieved by careful use of pastel colours within the choice of bedding, herbaceous plants and shrubs. Although synonymous within a Local Authority context, the bedding will use both old and new cultivars offering a less vibrant alternative to traditional schemes. As the garden moves towards the future with the modern materials and sculpture, the use of pastel colours is maintained though the plants have a more architectural feel. Marginal planting compliments the organic etching to the steel wall, and represents plants from one of the 11 national plant collections managed by the Parks and Countryside service. Plant selection considers the need to enhance the structure of a garden while achieving sustainability and economic maintenance levels.
On a focal point in the rear of the garden is the garden shelter - a bold structure made of reclaimed cast iron supports with a single piece of glass for the roof. The colours of the glass shine down onto the reclaimed oak timber baulk which functions as the seat lending a superb place to contemplate the garden and its features - yet large enough to have informal business meetings, offering a healthy alternative to the confines of a meeting room (weather permitting). On the left of the garden set intimately between the two beds is a smaller seat of similar sort providing a clearer view of the modern sculpture with its water movement.
The split level water feature, in which the modern glass sculpture sits, represents the importance of the River Aire, and the Leeds Canals in the development of Leeds while providing a reflection of the garden as it changes through the seasons. The sculpture also compliments the steel wall reflecting the modern architectural style apparent on the Leeds skyline today.
The garden will return to Leeds after the show and will be rebuilt at the White Rose Office Park in South Leeds.