Exhibitors
SHOW GARDENS | WATER GARDENS | SMALL GARDENS | CONCEPTUAL GARDENS
INSPIRING SPACES | WINDOWBOXES & HANGING BASKETS
PLANTS | GROWING & SHOWING MARQUEE | MARKET PLACE
Show gardens
Association of British Conifer Growers
Conifers by Design
Designer: Roger Griffin (Amenity Trees & Landscapes)
Sponsors: Global Stone, Tills Innovations, Dunweedin, Amenity Trees, H Butterfields
Contractor: Amenity Trees and Landscapes
Association of British Conifer Growers
The Association of British Conifer Growers wanted something different this year from the natural looking gardens constructed for previous shows. This garden has a contemporary feel, with straight lines and angles, and features several pruned conifers.
Softwood sleepers, from a renewable source, are used to create raised beds and demonstrate how you can alter the levels on a flat piece of ground. A steel patio table and chairs set sits on natural stone paving, with the remainder of the patio area covered with recycled rubber chippings. Three stainless steel balls form a water feature to complement ball-shaped conifers and create a relaxing sound in the garden.
Containers made of stainless steel are planted up with conifers and bedding plants to give extra colour to the patio. Conifers have been pruned into cubes, balls, spirals, and pyramids and there is one cloud-pruned tree. The remainder have been left in their natural state. Along some of the sleeper beds conifers have been pruned to create parterre-style edging.
Association members are demonstrating how to prune conifers twice daily at the show.
Designer Roger Griffin has exhibited his passion for conifers at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show on three previous occasions and once at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.