Thursday, 18 April 2013

Dreamy planting and cool paving


Now that the structure of the garden is decided, what about the planting? I envisage pale, smooth paving for a contemporary look; with exuberant planting full of texture and movement.

Grasses have inspired the planting in the show garden, for their fabulous texture and movement, and their almost year round interest. I want to plant the grasses en masse with ribbons of tall perennials woven through, their pretty flower heads peeping above, giving the impression of a flowing sea of colour and texture.




David and Pauline at Wildly Rural, a fabulous specialist grass nursery in Cumbria, have agreed to supply the grasses. They’re not new to the particular demands of a show garden so I’m confident that the plants they supply will do us proud. The next step is to pin down my plant list so they can set aside just the right number and varieties I want (possibly up to 200 plants). They’ll be lovingly tended over the next several months and then primped and primed to make sure they are at their very best just in time for the show.

I’m definitely worried about the perennials, what with the unreliable weather we’ve had over the past few years, you never know which plants will be in flower and looking their best just in time for the judges. Ladybrook Nursery, in Bramhall, Cheshire, are another Tatton regular, and are supplying the shrubs, trees and perennials and I’m in the process of drawing up my shortlist for them. All plants will be set aside in a section of the nursery devoted to the Tatton show plants, and then its over to me to keep a regular eye on them, paying regular visits to deadhead, stake, feed and generally protect with my life! There’s no turning up the week before the show hoping that everything’s going to be OK.  There’s a big commitment to ensure the plants are in tip top condition for their big day!  

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