Firstly I am going to mention the Genetic Conservation Garden by Tessa and Caitlin Mclaughlin, partly because it is the first on the RHS information page about the gardens, but also because it is the one I have written about previously mentioned above. So I am not going to say much more about it here other than I am really looking forward to seeing it.
Next to catch my eye was this garden, 'Mad as a Hatter' designed by Gary Birstow. It caught my eye as Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite books (probably only beaten by Through the Looking Glass), but this garden is more about hatters than Alice, it is particularly referencing the 'madness' that hatters appeared to have from inhaling mercury fumes. This is something I knew nothing about so it was a good interesting fact. The plants used are inspired by Frome Valley so I think it will be a good garden to see.
Still on an Alice in Wonderland theme is the 'Alice in Wonderland' garden by Lorna Davies. This is to commemorate 150 years since the book was published. The planting aims to show the colours of the book such as the reds and whites of the Queens. I do have to comment that the plan could be seen to not compare well against the other garden plans as it is less pictorial. One thing to remember with the Malvern Gardens is that the designers often do not have the vast resources that Chelsea Flower Show designers can attract, so the garden design quality cannot be judged by the look of the brochure plan.
The next garden is 'Still Beating the Blues' designed by Emily Sharpe which is based on a painting by Swarez. I confess to having to google Swarez. The garden aims to be a retreat from hectic urban life. It looks minimalistic and calming and will be interesting to see.
The above garden is called 'Mindfulness' and is designed by Contained Gardens. It looks a very contained space is inspired by the words from a young male suffering from depression. "The garden is comforting and solid yet transparent providing a safe space with easy escape routes" is how it is described in the blurb. Like many of the plans (both for this show and Chelsea) I find the plans often do not help me really visualise the space. I will be interested to see how this looks in reality.
This garden, 'Lets Get you Home' designed by Stacey Gibson, intrigues me as the tree dominates so completely. This is not a bad thing, I love a good tree and I am looking forward to finding out what type of tree it is. The garden is about the journey from when someone finds out they have a terminal illness, through to their treatment and to the help Marie Curie provides in supporting the person.
Finally there is 'Nature' designed by Kate Durr. This plan is riot of greens and looks really vibrant and interesting. It is dominated by three Cor-ten steel panels. Yes I had to google Cor-ten, it is a steel that weathers (rusts) in a stable way that means it does not need painting. The words senuous and sultry are used in the description, apparently the planting flirts with us from behind its Cor-ten steel boundaries, would it be wrong to be thinking 50 shades of green?........
I am really looking forward to my visit, the gardens will be top of my agenda to visit on the day and I shall write about the realities on my return.
