'Courtyard Garden' took a romantic, country theme. |
The West Oxfordshire College 'Courtyard Garden' transformed a tiny space into a romantic bower with an old-style, if very fashionable, woven willow framework supporting dainty roses. More woven willow was used in the boundaries made of traitional hurdles. A circular bench, supported on a deep rose wall, was backed by low-growing plants and hostas which crept out into the seating space. |
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New Zealanders would have instantly responded to the lovely alpines in the 'Magic of the Mountains' rock garden that incorporated alpines from different countries. The judges awarded a Gold Medal for a garden that was out of the mainstream of contemproary and minimalist design. The Alpine Garden Society designed the garden and it was hoped that the sight of the lovely plantings would entice visitors into the mountains- the Tyrol, not New Zealand (perhaps it is time we staged our own exhibit). The garden was awarded a Gold medal. |
The 'magic of the Mountains' used alpine plants from around the world in a colourful display |
The 'Reflective Garden' struck a chord with many visitors; the lush planting scheme in greens and white included many favourite bulbs and perennials, the mirrorred obelisks, the deep green summerhouse. The execution of this small white garden was brilliant and the planting masterful, the echoes of Vita Sackville West's Sissinghurst Castle were there and perhaps it was this absence of a truly original design theme that saw the garden miss a Gold Medal. |
The 'Reflective Garden' used lush planting in green and white to set off its theme. (Above)
Spires of foxtail lilies (eremuri) and shorter delphinium to echo the striking mirrored obelisks. (Left) |
Reflective Garden |
The 'Zen Inspired' garden used a massive framework to create a traditional styled gate, giving a sense of scale to this small garden. Shrubs were trained into traditional 'cloud' shapes, carefully selected rocks were placed with sensitivity, and gravel and weeping forms of Acer palmatum (Japanese maple) were handled in a manner faithful to classical Japanese gardens. The slim canal of water, brought a more modern note to the garden than the traditional 'informal' natural-styled pool. The garden was lovely and its execution handled well. |
Zen Inspired' garden takes elements of a Japanese garden and recreates them using English plants. |
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