Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2005

Water Garden GOLD MEDAL and the Tudor Rose
Resting Place for a Hero
Designer: Capel Manor College student - Aileen Scoular

This ambient water garden has been inspired by the Oscar-nominated film Hero (2002), directed by Zhang Yimou. The design is based around a pool of water – the elixir of life – with the hero's resting place at its centre, reminding us that the human need to rest and recharge starts from the very centre of our being. This is not an oriental garden per se. Instead, the garden as a whole signifies a timeless resting place for a wandering warrior, a place of safety and refuge where this nameless hero can rest his limbs and recharge his spirit. A timber-decked path leads us around the pool, with two gravelled rest areas from which to enjoy the feast of foliage around the water's edge. As befits a restless hero, the planting on the ground is transient and fluid. Using bamboos, grasses, airy perennials and trees with pendulous limbs, the movement in this garden represents the ever-changing life the hero leads on land. In and around the water, the aquatic and marginal planting is dense, bold and well defined, signifying the security and harmony the hero feels when he reaches the calm of his ‘island' retreat.

Angel Garden SILVER GILT
Sponsor: Finsoft Ltd
Designer: Rajka Popovic
Plant List

The inspiration for this garden came from the designer’s garden where she lived for many years. There were plans to paint on the wall at the bottom of the garden one of the most striking and famous frescoes of Serbian church art - the White Angel, the angel protector who guards Christ’s tomb. Now Rajka feels the need for an angel to protect her so is designing The Angel Garden, a tranquil place where you can feel safe.

The garden is built around a central, sunken octagon entered via steps with a water feature in the middle. Around the edges the retaining wall doubles as seating. Reclaimed Yorkshire stone is used for the floor and steps. The colour scheme is predominantly blue and white with texture provided by foliage. Tall flower spires will provide a transparent screen around the seating area and their shape is reminiscent of church spires. The planting is also fragrant with herbs planted among the paving to release scent when trodden on, while white lilies and Nicotiana perfume the air.

Positioned within the planting are four silver bells on poles. At the back, on a rendered wall, is the White Angel, hand-painted by Mai Osawa. The garden will look as if it has been there forever, has been lost and only just rediscovered. Designer Rajka completed an RHS General Certificate in March 2003 before enrolling at Capel Manor College.