Cornerstone and Conservation

Cornerstone – garden designed by Pip Probert at RHS Malvern Spring Festival

Not surprisingly, I very much like the Cornerstone garden at RHS Malvern Spring Festival – the delicate alpine planting in the stone troughs, and the clever stone walled seating area with a stone table.

The balance, planting and sculpted panel in Constraining Nature designed by Kate Durr Garden Design is both exuberant and elegant.  I do want to go into this garden and perch on the beautifully sculpted oak seats under the trees.

The Genetic Conservation Garden is intriguing and fascinating in addition to being very beautiful.  I need to be in this garden a while to really look at and understand the Crop Wild Relatives planting.  The idea is to encourage identification and protection of wild plants that have genetic relationships with our crops. This garden forms part of an urban nature reserve as well as a space to relax in the city. The significant group of plants contain a wealth of genetic traits, such as disease resistance, which when bred with commercial crop varieties can help future food security. Traditionally considered weeds, these plants are often overlooked and are in need of conservation.

Through the garden, the polished concrete path leads the visitor past wild planting and ponds to a seating area to relax and contemplate the planting choices, which incorporate a mixture of wild relatives and spring ornamental colour. The concrete tiles and pillars contain seeds that in the long term would germinate, breaking the man-made structures down and allowing the garden to become even wilder.

This is my favourite garden, I love the thoughts and ideas behind it – it’s important, it’s wonderful.

It is designed by Tessa & Caitlin McLaughlin – Built by Bosworth’s Landscaping and sponsored by Stanbrook Abbey.

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival – 7-10 May 2015