Gardening in a small space
Got a tiny garden? These flower and veg boxes showed just how much you can squeeze into a small plot and have fun with the design
Flower Boxes
These displays, created by community groups and organisations, showed that less can definitely be more, as they fit into a square measuring just 10x10ft (3x3m).
Fountain of Hope – by Albion
This flower box put the Albion public house in East Moseley at the heart of the community. The bright colours were representative of a strong and positive place to live, the fence the security of family, and the barrel represented the pub.
Hoses, Rakes and Ladders – by the London Fire Brigade
Marking the London Fire Brigade’s 150th anniversary, this garden featured planted containers made of fire helmets, fire buckets and tyres. The planting scheme represented blue lights, flames and the colours of the Four Watches (Green, Blue, Red and White). This design was a mini version of the Surbiton Fire Station’s rooftop garden, which has inspired many groups to ‘green’ the local community.
Past and Future: Lest we Forget – by Groundbreaking Projects
This colourful display aimed to remind us of the Battle of the Somme. The poppies represented the waves of trenches across No Man's Land and how the scars are healing over time.
Vegetable Boxes
Vegetable Partir – Blooming Marvellous
This design was created by a supported adult gardening group, whose members manage their own allotment in Aldershot, work in the gardens of older and disabled people, and help to improve community open spaces. Their design for the Show gave a snapshot of their allotment.
Market Garden – by Phoenix High School
The plants used were similar to ones grown at the school, and the aim was to incorporate the history of market gardening in the area – Shepherds Bush, London. The centre of the design represented the River Thames, and some exotic plants represented both the way market gardens diversified in the 19th century and the school's multicultural students.
Growing to Eat, Eating to Grow – Alton Infant School
The school veg gardens began in 1991 and have developed since then, with each class being responsible for the vegetable beds, and composting fruit and garden waste. The garden was divided into nine squares, each representing a recipe, which the children will be cooking in school. A booklet featuring the recipes was available at the Show.
Cultivating Kensington & Chelsea – Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
There are more than 70 community kitchen gardens in the borough, with more than 1,500 residents, schools and community groups growing their own. This exhibit showcased how different and exotic fruit and veg can be grown in a small space and look good.
Show feature:
Fryer’s Roses Blue Diamond: Indian-Inspired Wedding
The garden, designed by Adam Leverett, was influenced by The Government Rose Garden in Ooty, India, which houses the largest collections of roses in India. The pathways symbolised the joining of two families under a colourful, decorated pagoda.
The garden featured two Fryer's roses launched this year – the ‘Bollywood' rose and the ‘90th Celebration’ rose.
Fryer's Roses also teamed up with the Charity Phab (Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied), to promote the rose ‘Phab Gold’.
More to see at the Show
The must-see's at this year's Show
Be inspired by these stunning creations
All the tools you need to get you started on your own garden design journey
