Harrogate Autumn Flower Show is set to welcome its first international entry to the stunning display of new show garden borders being created for this year’s event.
Twelve beautiful borders are being built for the show, the UK’s premier autumn festival of gardening to be staged at the Great Yorkshire Showground from 14-16 September.
The borders, some of which will be sections of a larger garden, are designed to offer visitors ideas and inspiration to take away and try at home. Themes range from a quiet place of contemplation and a taste of Far East tranquillity, to dazzling displays of stately home colour and contemporary chic for a penthouse pad.
Among them is the show’s first international garden entry, ‘A Secret Garden with a Touch of Summer’ by Dutch designer Vincent Huijboom. Part of a larger renaissance garden, his unusual border pushes the boundaries offering a private place to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life, softened by a touch of warm summer colours.
Other newcomers to the autumn show include lawyer-turned-designer Jason Loh, from Nottingham, who will be creating two gardens including tea house tranquillity with a royal twist.
Judging of the show borders takes place on Thursday afternoon 13 September, when the gardens will be considered for Premier Gold, Gold, Silver-Gilt, Silver or Bronze Awards.
Martin Fish, Director of the Harrogate Flower Shows, said:
The show borders were launched last year to offer our visitors affordable, but inspirational, ideas for their gardens.
We have even more entries for visitors to enjoy this autumn and have expanded the competition to include a new category, enabling the designers to tempt us with a small glimpse of a much larger garden.
Sponsored by Abbotts Green Luxury Lodge Living and Prestige Park & Leisure Homes the 2012 Show Garden Borders include:
Traditional Garden Borders
Green with Envy – celebrating the fascinating forms and shapes of foliage, including a stumpery with water feature. Created by Craven College, Skipton.
Bordering on the Edge – reflecting the sumptuous, rich planting and dazzling displays of colour in the flower borders at Harewood House, Leeds. Created by Head Gardener, Trevor Nicholson.
The Arrival of the King – royal-themed border combining the traditional regal colours of purple and white with a bespoke panel designed to entice. Created by Jason Loh, Jason Loh Designs, Nottingham.
Optical Illusion – transforming the two-dimensional into three dimensions, including a trompe l’oeil to draw the eye into the distance. Created by Finchale College, Durham.
A Secret Garden – (see above) created by Vincent Huijboom, Nijmegen, Holland.
Garden Sections
Memorial Garden – designed for a quiet moment and based on an actual garden at Ripon Walled Garden, North Yorkshire.
The Cream Tea Garden – an affordable space to relax and enjoy breakfast, afternoon tea or a glass of wine surrounded by beautiful plants and entertained by wildlife. Created by Paul Watson, PRW Gardening Services, Doncaster.
By Any Other Name – portraying the journey of recovery from substance abuse. Created by the Calderdale Substance Misuse Service, Halifax.
Contemplation Corner – a place to reflect and restore the soul, inspired by cool shady Japanese moss gardens. Created by Jeni Cairns, Juniper House Garden Design, Peterborough.
The Tranquil Far East – a far eastern-style tribute to the understated elegance of royalty. Created by Jason Loh, Jason Loh Designs, Nottingham.
‘O’ Naturelle – take a moment’s rest on the dry stone seating to appreciate the framed garden vista beyond. Created by New Leaf Landscapes, Johnny Clasper and Baldersby Plant Centre.
Contemporary Roof Top – architectural structures combined with soft planting to provide a modern space fit for a penthouse. Created by Chris Heaton Design Studios, Leeds.
Tickets are available on the Gate: Friday/Saturday £15; Sunday £14; under-16s FREE.
Opening times: 9.30am – 5.30pm. Car parking is free. Visit www.flowershow.org.uk for more details.
