Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2014 Blog

Alexandra Froggatt's Garden of Solitude
Alexandra Froggatt’s Garden of Solitude

Set against the magnificent backdrop of the palace to which it owes its name, the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show celebrates gardening on a majestic scale. Having completed her own tour of the show, here’s Georgina’s round up of highlights…

Top designers such as Andy Sturgeon and Cleve West cut their teeth at this event many years ago, and today it continues to nurture some of the UK’s most talented up and coming designers. With competitors showcasing conceptual gardens, show gardens, summer gardens, and designs restricted to specific budgets; there was something to inspire everyone this year, particularly those of us with small spaces.

Some of the gardens which attracted the most attention were the bijou plots which stood cheek by jowl along the Ditton Avenue strip. Young designer Alexandra Froggatt’s ‘Garden of Solitude’ punctuated the end of this grand allée.

Pocket parks
Alexandra Froggatt won the Your Garden, Your Budget category with her blissful space. My favourite design of the show, it’s washed out wooden decking, vertical water drops and angular sculptural features culminated in a highly distinctive design. Alexandra’s inspiration stemmed from the colour, translucency and shape of crystals. There were no predictable orange and blue plant combinations here (Is it just me, or has the achillea/eryngium combo become a bit too ubiquitous lately?). Instead, nectar rich white and muted pastel blooms were combined with ferns and grasses and the soothing sound of running water.

Where other designers had used black dye to colour the water in their gardens to give the illusion of a bottomless pool, Alexandra’s jets and pool were filled with refreshingly clear water, inviting you to reach out and make a splash of your own.

Of course for most owners of small gardens, low maintenance, privacy and screening is a must when deciding what they want in their outdoor space, and these were the guiding principles behind Chew Valley Trees’ ‘Green is the Colour’ garden. If like me you feel comforted by the shelter and protection of a natural woodland environment, you would have loved this garden. Inspired by the magical forests of eastern Canada, the spirit of this landscape was captured to create a secluded place of reflection. The planting scheme combined restful shades of green foliage, while densely planted evergreen trees formed a textural backdrop to the garden.

Canada wasn’t the only country horticulturalists channelled for ideas. Using his native Australia for inspiration, Jim Fogarty’s ‘Essence of Australia’ garden secured him the top award this year – best show garden.

Aussie rules
If you prefer to walk on the wild side, then Essence of Australia would have really rocked your world. This laid back haven for tropical garden lovers celebrated Aussie plants and contemporary design. Native Australian plants that can be grown in the UK delivered a touch of the exotic, whilst the red sands, curved billabong and winding Rainbow Serpent deck lifted the lid on a whole new world in landscape design.

Gardens aside, there was also the usual vast selection of stalls and interactive installations on offer at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. In short, visitors were in for a treat.

What was your favourite garden at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show this year? Feel free to share your views by leaving a comment.

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July 21, 2014

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