Featured Show Gardens
Fleming’s and Trailfinder’s Australian Garden presented by Melbourne, Victoria
Garden in the Silver Moonlight
Awards
This garden was awarded
Silver Gilt
Clare Agnew Design
The Reflective Garden 
Designer: Clare Agnew
Contractor: Adam Frost Landscapes
Sponsor: Ruffer LLP
Although The Reflective Garden is geometric in plan and structure, it was inspired by nature. Tall structural trees and flowering plants are in huge contrast to cool, still, reflective pools and horizontal groundcover.
The garden is bounded by Carpinus hedging and bamboo screening and within it there is an eye-catching vista along the back length. Pleached Carpinus, roof-shaped Platanus and Cornus controversa surround and overhang three still dark pools, providing both shelter and structure for contemplation and relaxation. The pools reflect the trees and passing clouds and the edges are flanked by early-flowering plants and grasses that glisten in the water.
The garden plays on two senses; as the eye surveys the reflective pools, the ear is drawn to the running water from the wall fountain. The movement of water is in contrast to the stillness of the reflective pools, which in turn reflect the sky and bring light into the garden.
The planting is leafy and textural, with tall early-flowering plants and grasses reflecting in the water. Flowers are mainly creamy whites with a touch of warmth thrown in, planted in bold clumps and drifts. Strap-like leaves of bamboo and grasses rustle in the breeze with bold use of Calamagrostris and Buxus cubes. The stems of pleached Carpinus and six roof-shaped Platanus trees mirror themselves at the water’s edge along with Aruncus, Rheum, Zantedeschia, Iris sibirica, Osmunda, Angelica and Crambe cordifolia.