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2012 – The Arthritis Research UK Garden

Virtual People's Choice
Inspired by the spectacular 16th-century Renaissance gardens at Villa Lante and Villa d’Este, Italy, designer Thomas Hoblyn captures the drama, formality and beauty of these historic landscapes in The Arthritis Research Garden.

Renaissance gardens presented a new style of garden that expored man's control over nature. Such gardens are often orderly and beautiful. Here the flamboyance and decadence of that era are stripped back to reveal a simpler and more minimal design.

Water is a central theme in this garden. There are three spectacular water features including a long fountain seat set against a backdrop of 30 powerful jets, a water cascade and a shallow mirror pool with infinity edge. Weaving in his passion for creative planting, Hoblyn focuses on a formal Mediterranean style, with five majestic cypress trees providing a magnificent backdrop.

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.