Chelsea 2014 Artisan Gardens

Tucked away from the main show gardens are a smaller series of gardens known as the Artisan Gardens. These are all built on a tiny plot, but despite the small scale many of these really do pack in ideas, great design and interesting plants. The brief is to use natural materials in a sustainable way.

We were lucky with the weather, perfect conditions to enjoy the gardens.

The first garden was the The Viking Cruises Norse Garden, and came complete with a Viking!



The Dial a Flight Garden tells the story of a potters garden abandoned for the war in 1914, is brought back to life for 2014. This garden remembers both lost agrarian ways and skills and the lives of those who served in World War One, but also celebrates the power of gardens to evolve and renew. This garden won a gold, although personally I wasn't that keen on a style that appears each year in one form or another.

With the Tour de France starting in Yorkshire, the Tour de Yorkshire Garden opted for lots of bike references, winning a silver medal.

The first of two Japanese style Artisan gardens is The Arita Garden, a modern garden with classic Japanese influences.

 This garden won a well deserved Silver Gilt, I love the structure of this garden, perhaps enjoying it with the echos of our own koi pond. This has given me a few ideas on what I may design for our Top patio makeover. A stunning garden with lots of smaller details tucked in.

75 Years of The Roof Gardens in Kensington won a Bronze

 I quite liked this garden, celebrating "75 Years of The Roof Gardens in Kensington". Mark was less keen. Clearly Marks view was more aligned with that of the judges as it won a Bronze. Perhaps the mix of Agaves and trimmed hedges does look a little odd. But its great to see a Tetrapanax 'Rex' on the right hand side.



Once again the designer, Kazuyuki Ishihara, won best in the Artisan category, which was well deserved. There are so many different elements to this garden, with a tea house, and waterwheel included in the small area. I spent quite a long time looking at this garden, and you keep spotting new details.




The final garden is The Topiarist’s Garden which is based on an original concept by Marylyn Abbott for a garden in front of the remains of the bothy at West Green House in Hampshire. The garden was designed as a personal space for a conventional gardener influenced by the tradition of “Topia opera”. In this small walled space, he could indulge his passion for eclectic topiary designs, which are haphazardly placed amongst his favourite perennials.

The Topiarist’s Garden won Silver Gilt

As a selection of gardens the Artisan Category gives the most variety, many of the gardens would work in a real garden setting. Our favourites were the two Japanese gardens, which both did well with the judges.

In the days ahead we will explore the main show gardens as well as the Fresh gardens.

Gaz