Tucked away from the main show gardens are a smaller series of gardens known as the Artisan Gardens. These are all built on a tiny plot, but despite the small scale many of these really do pack in ideas, great design and interesting plants. The brief is to use natural materials in a sustainable way.
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| We were lucky with the weather, perfect conditions to enjoy the gardens. |
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| With the Tour de France starting in Yorkshire, the Tour de Yorkshire Garden opted for lots of bike references, winning a silver medal. |
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| 75 Years of The Roof Gardens in Kensington won a Bronze |
Once again the designer, Kazuyuki Ishihara, won best in the Artisan category, which was well deserved. There are so many different elements to this garden, with a tea house, and waterwheel included in the small area. I spent quite a long time looking at this garden, and you keep spotting new details.
The final garden is The Topiarist’s Garden which is based on an original concept by Marylyn Abbott for a garden in front of the remains of the bothy at West Green House in Hampshire. The garden was designed as a personal space for a conventional gardener influenced by the tradition of “Topia opera”. In this small walled space, he could indulge his passion for eclectic topiary designs, which are haphazardly placed amongst his favourite perennials.
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| The Topiarist’s Garden won Silver Gilt |
In the days ahead we will explore the main show gardens as well as the Fresh gardens.
Gaz
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Thanks for that walk around Chelsea. I think Mark has better taste than you :-) (except in men). Superb stuff and I am looking forward to the rest of Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteHere, thanks Don :D
DeleteI like the garden designed by Kazuyuki Ishihara, but it looks very similar to the japanese artisan garden from last year. I also like a lot the structure in the Arita garden, I would love to have that waterfall between glasses in my garden.
ReplyDeleteThe Arita garden is sublime isn't it Lisa? The porcelain details are fantastic and so is everything else. The other one reflects a lot of the designers tried and tested signature pieces like moss balls etc
DeleteI'm really quite taken with that enormous black bowl of water. I kind of like the Agave with the trimmed hedge too, although I doubt it would work for real, at least not for long, in our climate. That Agave would rot in no time. But it's not a look you see often.
ReplyDeleteTrue Alison, applicable to the roof garden where it is sheltered and much milder but tricky for other areas.
DeleteThe Japanese gardens were well done and the first one does evoke quite a few images of your own garden. The agave in the hedge is an interesting sight that might be a solution in my garden as the agaves grow.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy for judges to pass by the sentiment and effects of WWI a century later regardless of the garden.
I enjoyed this tour of the Artisan Gardens and look forward to your special take on the rest.
Both Japanese gardens were exquisite as expected Shirley, and yes you're right about the sentiments re war, many years on and yet the effects transcends time.
DeleteThe 2 Japanese gardens are very different but both are lovely and, in contrast to some of the others, they felt the most real to me. Thanks for sharing your great photos!
ReplyDeleteA pleasure Kris :)
DeleteI liked the Artisan Gardens most, I think. And noticed the tetrapanax too. Indeed I offered some to both Helen and Alison as mine is now suckering all over the place. I'm afraid I'm with Mark on the Kensington garden. Too much Singing Ringing Tree! Dave
ReplyDeleteSame here David. The Artisan Gardens are also the most applicable to a domestic back garden setting.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your reviews of the Artisan Gardens - wasn't it a relief to get to that lovely cool shady pathway?! I loved Ishihara's garden - and was also enchanted by Ishihara who was there being interviewed by a TV crew. I agree the Kensington roof garden maybe wasn't as high standard as the Potters and Topiary - but it was different and colourful, however lovely (and they are beautiful) I think the *old building with naturalistic planting and topiary* has become a standard and expected Artisan Garden at Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteYour top patio will no doubt be fab!!!!
We hope so Celia :) I love the location where the artisan gardens are, quaint and leafy!
DeleteVery cool looking photos. That had to be lots of fun attending. I can see why Ishihara won. Amazing garden they set up.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Indeed Cher :)
DeleteAs you both know, my first proper look round will not be until Saturday (when rain is forecast!). Although the RHS press office did eventually stump up a pass for Tuesday for me, it was SO crowded that I couldn't even see many of the gardens! I so wish I'd been able to get there on Monday, your photos have a clear view of the gardens! It will be an early start for me on Saturday and I'll have a good idea of what to look out for from your reviews!
ReplyDeleteGet it sorted very early next time Caro :) Hopefully the weather on Saturday won't be too bad and you'll have a great time at Chelsea!
DeleteIt's the small space gardens like these that I usually enjoy most at any garden show. There is something so wonderful about the round rocks and round moss balls in the Kazuyuki Ishihara garden. I want to run my hands and feet over them.
ReplyDeleteSame here Loree, the intimacy of the space and the craftsmanship involved in making a small space beautiful makes them doubly charming. And more applicable to a domestic back garden too!
DeleteThese are all spectacular gardens. Love the brick kiln in the Potter's garden, the rune stones in the Norse garden, the huge black bowl of water, the elegant simplicity of the modern garden that resembles yours! You saved the best for last though as that garden is breathtaking. Do you suppose they would just pack it all up and install it in my side garden? :)
ReplyDeleteIt would be delightful if they could do that Peter, as we'll be sure it will be in safe hands. If there are no buyers I'm afraid it will most likely be chopped away...
DeleteThe garden by Kazuyuki Ishihara is by far my favorite. Beautiful use of stone, wood, moss, and trees and shrubs that are well-trained without being rigid. This garden has a wonderful flow.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Evan :)
DeleteI love the way these gardens each tell a story, and thanks for passing that along. I'm drawn to the Tour de Yorkshire garden, perhaps because the simple, modern vibe makes it easy to take in. It would be hard for a plant lover to use that kind of restraint, but it's fun to see.
ReplyDeleteI love that modern Japanese garden, it has given me ideas too, beautifully balanced hard and soft landscaping. Unlike the roof garden...Kazuyuki Ishihara's gardens are always extraordinary, and I love his reaction to getting medals, he always seems so genuinely thrilled and excited. Look forward to seeing your patio makeover...
ReplyDelete