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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