The RHS Malvern Spring Festival is renowned as a highlight in the horticultural calendar, heralding the arrival of spring with an abundance of vibrant blooms, innovative garden designs, and inspirational ideas for enthusiasts and professionals alike. The 2019 edition of this esteemed event, held in the picturesque setting of the Malvern Hills, was no exception. It captivated visitors with its dazzling array of show gardens, each telling a unique story and pushing the boundaries of landscape architecture. From conceptual designs that challenge perceptions to practical spaces offering serene beauty, the festival showcased the very best of British gardening talent. This year, among a multitude of stunning entries, three particular show gardens captured our imagination and stood out for their creativity, thoughtful execution, and profound messages. Join us as we revisit these horticultural masterpieces and delve into the design philosophies that made them truly unforgettable.
Celebrating Innovation: Our Top Picks from RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2019
The RHS Malvern Spring Festival is more than just a flower show; it’s a dynamic platform where landscape designers, horticulturists, and artists converge to present groundbreaking visions of outdoor spaces. Each show garden, meticulously planned and executed, serves as a source of inspiration, offering attendees a wealth of ideas to transform their own gardens or simply to appreciate the artistry involved. The judging process is rigorous, with gardens evaluated on criteria such as design originality, quality of planting, construction, and their overall impact. The awards, from bronze to the coveted gold medal, are a testament to the designers’ skill and dedication. In 2019, the competition was fierce, but certain gardens distinguished themselves with their innovative concepts and stunning aesthetics. Here are three of our absolute favourites that left a lasting impression, each bringing a fresh perspective to garden design.
The What If Show Garden: A Journey into Creative Thought
One of the most talked-about and truly captivating designs at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2019 was ‘The What If Show Garden.’ This masterpiece quickly became a firm favourite with us at Fresh Design, largely due to its daring use of bold colour and its striking garden structures. Designed by the talented Sebastian Conrad in a visionary collaboration with artist Kate Rees, the garden drew its profound inspiration from the very wellspring of creativity within an artist’s mind. It was a horticultural exploration of imagination, presenting a tangible landscape that mirrors the abstract processes of artistic thought and questioning.
The garden was a symphony of vibrant hues and intriguing forms, carefully curated to evoke a sense of curiosity and wonder. Bold architectural elements, rather than merely serving functional purposes, acted as sculptural interpretations of evolving ideas, offering glimpses into the dynamic nature of creative breakthroughs. The planting schemes were equally audacious, featuring an eclectic mix of flora that challenged conventional expectations and highlighted the power of colour to influence mood and perception. Each plant and structural piece was strategically placed, guiding the viewer’s eye through a narrative of possibilities and unconventional beauty, making the garden feel like a living canvas.
Beyond its aesthetic brilliance, ‘The What If Show Garden’ carried significant social importance, supporting the Rees Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting care leavers. This commitment to a meaningful cause added another layer of depth to the garden’s narrative, suggesting that creativity and imagination can be powerful tools for positive change and personal development. The fusion of art, landscape design, and philanthropy created a truly inspiring experience for all who visited.
It came as no surprise, and indeed brought us immense pleasure, to learn that this profoundly impactful and visually stunning garden was awarded a well-deserved gold medal. This accolade from the RHS not only recognised the exceptional design and horticultural excellence but also validated the garden’s powerful conceptual message, cementing its place as one of the most memorable creations of the 2019 festival.
The Red Shift Garden: Gazing into the Cosmos Through Horticulture
Stepping into ‘The Red Shift Garden’ at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2019 was akin to entering a tranquil corner of the universe. This exceptional garden, conceived by the visionary Julie Bellingham from Rockhopper Garden Design and proudly sponsored by the Institute of Physics, offered a unique and immersive experience that beautifully blended the wonders of astronomy with the art of landscape design. The garden’s entire aesthetic and conceptual framework were deeply influenced by the vastness of space, the intricate mechanics of telescopes, and humanity’s enduring quest to understand the universe around us.
Bellingham masterfully translated complex astronomical phenomena into a harmonious garden setting. The concept of ‘redshift,’ a crucial indicator in cosmology for understanding the expansion of the universe, was subtly woven into the planting palette and material choices, creating a flow of colour and form that suggested movement and cosmic distance. Visitors were invited to ponder the grand scale of the cosmos while immersed in the intimate setting of a meticulously designed garden.
At the heart of ‘The Red Shift Garden’ were stunning sculptures specifically created to represent both ground-based and space telescopes. These artistic renditions were not just decorative; they were focal points that symbolised humanity’s technological advancements in peering across astronomical distances. The ‘ground telescopes’ might have been interpreted through robust, earth-bound structures, while the ‘space telescopes’ could have been represented by lighter, more ethereal forms, perhaps reaching skyward, reflecting the instruments that orbit beyond our atmosphere. These sculptural elements were seamlessly integrated with the surrounding flora, creating a dialogue between human innovation and natural beauty.
Furthermore, a distinctive seating area within the garden was ingeniously conceptualised as ‘the Earth.’ This thoughtful inclusion provided a contemplative space for visitors, allowing them to sit, reflect, and literally place themselves within the cosmic narrative the garden presented. From this ‘Earth’ vantage point, one could appreciate the artistic representation of the universe unfolding around them, fostering a profound connection between our terrestrial home and the mysteries of deep space. ‘The Red Shift Garden’ was a powerful testament to how scientific concepts can inspire breathtaking artistic expressions and invite deeper reflection on our place in the universe.
Mimosa Design: Grace and Dignity Show Garden – A Tribute to Enduring Passion
Completing our trio of top picks from the RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2019 is the exquisitely designed ‘Grace and Dignity’ garden, a creation by Lucie Giselle Ponsford from Mimosa Design. This garden was a heartfelt and poignant celebration of older women who continue to find joy, purpose, and solace in gardening throughout their later years. It offered a serene and respectful space that acknowledged the enduring passion, wisdom, and resilience of these individuals, proving that age is no barrier to cultivating beauty and contributing to the natural world.
The design philosophy behind ‘Grace and Dignity’ was evident in every thoughtful detail. We were particularly enchanted by the prominent use of circular elements throughout the garden. Circles, symbolising continuity, eternity, and holistic completeness, beautifully underscored the theme of sustained activity and life cycles. These flowing shapes were not merely aesthetic choices; they guided visitors gently through the space, creating a sense of calm and unhurried exploration. Pathways, planting beds, and even subtle water features might have incorporated these soft, curvilinear forms, contributing to an overall sense of harmony and natural grace.
The carefully selected planting schemes were a highlight, reflecting both the elegance and the resilience inherent in the garden’s theme. Ponsford likely chose plants known for their long-lasting beauty, their ability to thrive with age, and their subtle, soothing textures and colours. Imagine a palette of soft pastels, muted greens, and delicate whites, perhaps punctuated by the quiet strength of mature shrubs and trees. The interplay of different plant heights and forms would have created a rich tapestry, evoking the depth of experience and character found in older generations of gardeners.
Moreover, the garden excelled in its great use of flowing shapes and gentle movement. This could have been achieved through meandering paths, soft borders that blurred the lines between different sections, or plants with graceful, swaying forms that danced in the breeze. Such design elements collectively contributed to a profound sense of peace and tranquility, embodying the very essence of grace and dignity. The garden served as a beautiful reminder that gardening is an activity that transcends age, offering a lifelong connection to nature and a continuous source of joy and accomplishment. It was truly a space that resonated deeply, celebrating the quiet strength and timeless beauty of its inspiring muse.
All images courtesy of the RHS.