RHS silver for a planetary garden
Reaseheath undergraduates have pooled their talents to design and build a silver medal winning garden at the prestigious RHS Flower Show Tatton Park (July 20 – 24).
Will Parks, Anna Tyler and Laura Cartmell, who are studying for their Foundation Degree in Garden and Landscape Design, took up the challenge and were supported in the build by Dave Cutler and other fellow students.
BBC presenter Joe Swift joins undergraduates Will Parks and Anna Tyler at the Heaven and Earth garden at RHS Tatton
The garden, ‘Heaven and Earth’ (site TP317), is one of eight displays making up the ‘Cheshire Gardens of Distinction’ exhibit, which itself has been awarded ‘Best Show Feature’. The combined displays celebrate the best horticultural venues and training providers in the county.
Heaven and Earth, in the back-to-back category, is in homage to influential landscape architect Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe. Its minimalistic style, reminiscent of the 1950s and the start of the space race, is inspired by the visionary roof garden designed and built by Sir Geoffrey on the roof of Harvey’s store in Guildford High Street 60 years ago.
At that time, Sir Geoffrey was inspired by the launch of ‘Sputnik’ and the garden reflects this with a pool with stepping stones representing planets and an abstract backdrop of the ‘Plough’ constellation. It is designed for a young professional couple who need a tranquil escape from their busy careers in the City of London and uses water and textural planting to create a feeling of peace.
Will said: “This has been an amazing opportunity for all of us to showcase the practical and design skills we’ve learned on our course, Although it’s been hard work, the reaction of visitors who are enjoying our garden has made it all worthwhile.”
See our undergraduates talk about their garden >>
Other Reaseheath successes at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park include:
- GOLD for former Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture student Matthew Beesley in the RHS Young Landscape Contractor category. Matthew was part of the GB squad to contest the Worldskills finals in Sao Paulo in 2015, winning a silver medal
- SILVER GILT for current floristry students in the RHS Future Florists competition
- SILVER for two former Reaseheath students, horticulturist Matt Wood and designer Sally Parkinson, who have joined forces on a ‘Blooming Borders’ display by The Tiny Plant Company
- BRONZE for first time designer Nathan Webster, who at 17 is one of the youngest designers at the show. Nathan, who is studying for his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture at Reaseheath, has designed ‘Sitting Under the Mulberry Tree’ at TP 329 for Claire House Children’s Hospice, Wirral. He has been supported in the build by Reaseheath trained apprentices who work for Hultons Landscapes, sponsors of the garden
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture student, Aaron Byrne, is through to the national finals of WorldSkillsUK
- Reaseheath lecturers are organising family activities during the show’s duration – the countryside management department is offering free seed planting for bees in the Activities Marquee while Master of Horticulture Harry Delaney and RHS Course Manager Anne Harrison are running demonstrations in the Discover and Grow Marquee alongside student projects
