Publications
The Garden
September 2004
A certain panache
The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park has a wealth of innovative and beautifully crafted gardens, combined with nurseries selling rare and unusual plants. It has developed its own rather special and relaxed feel, making it a popular day out for showgoers
Images: Tim Sandall
Although the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park is the youngest of the RHS Flower shows, the general standards of gardens and exhibits at this year’s event were exemplary. The gardens displayed widespread use of natural stone and wood as construction materials, which gave the show as a whole a distinctive and cohesive regional atmosphere in keeping with its setting. Gardens with sunken areas were also a noticeable trend, maximising internal space and providing greater dimension to designs by creating discrete areas. Planting was often informal, in muted bronze and purple.
As ever, the RHS National Flowerbed Competition provided often impressive and sometimes humorous touches in the showground. Inside the floral pavilions, nurseries gathered from around the country displayed collections of choice and rare plants with considerable flair and creativity.
Artistic craftsmanship
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The best gardens displayed not only great planting but also superb workmanship such as wonderful ‘Solid Geometry’ (design: Andrew Loudon & Beetham Nurseries; sponsor: Coniston Copper Mine Cottages; gold) which won Best Back to Back Garden. |
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‘The Allotment Garden’ (design: Macclesfield Borough Council; sponsors: Evergreen Estate Management Ltd, G Halman & Son of Heathgate Nurseries, Cheshire Demolition, Richard Dower, Henry Doubleday Research Association; gold) was a charming set piece. |
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The award for Best Show Garden went to ‘Simply William Morris’ (design: Butler Landscapes Ltd; sponsors: Cheshire Life, Country Garden Plant Centre; gold). |
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‘Summer Breeze’ by Landcraft Design (design: Matthew Unwin; sponsor Ashley Reclamation; silver flora) featured bold planting and an unusual triangular theme. |
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‘Whirlpool Garden’ (design: Bespoke Landscape Design & Build, Peter Ashley Ltd; sponsor: Reeves Engineering; silver-gilt flora) was a sunken garden with stone walls. |