A Perfumer’s Garden in Grasse
Designer: James Basson. Sponsor: L’Occitane
I love the naturalistic planting in this garden. It exudes peace and tranquility in a rustic, simple elegance. Representing the historical decline and current renaissance of the traditional perfume plantations of the Grasse perfume industry, the garden design is beautifully balanced in a soft pallete of colours and rich in natural fragrance.
The Beauty of Islam
Designer: Kamela Bin Zal. Sponsor: Al Barari
This garden is stunning in its simplistic use of colour, texture and shapes. It’s a contemporary take on traditional Islamic garden design and reflects the beauty of Arabic and Islamic culture. The stark white Islamic archways and the beautiful use of water linking through the design creates a peaceful sanctuary and a place to nurture the soul. Its subtle planting of spices and herbs, such as cardamom, rosemary and olives, hint at the evocative and cultural spice trade of the Islamic and Arabic culture.
The Telegraph Garden
Designer: Marcus Barnett. Sponsor: The Telegraph
The more you stand and admire this garden, the more you see. It’s a garden of many levels and hidden depths. First impressions are of its elegant geometrical and blocked planting of perfect proportions. But then the intricacies of the tonal plantings become apparent. It’s inspired by the De Stijl Movement and uses clear primary colours, which are emphasised, offset and balanced by the restful use of greens and white.
Royal Bank of Canada Garden
Designer: Matthew Wilson. Sponsor: Royal Bank of Canada
Shapes, lines and contours characterise a garden and in this one it’s a celebration of the curve. Beautiful curved paths, a circular water feature of several levels and a cloud pruned olive tree each accentuate the voluptuous feel of this garden. The garden also portrays a simple message; the importance of water to not just our plants and gardens, but for the planet too.
Sentebale- Hope in Vulnerability
Designer: Matt Keightley. Sponsor: The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation
There’s something very humbling and earthy about this garden. The dusty red earth transports you to South Africa, but the fresh, vibrant planting is rich, dense and uplifting. The garden is inspired by Sentebale’s Mamahato Children’s Centre, due to open in 2015 to help Lesotho’s vulnerable children. It’s designed to raise awareness of Sentebale’s mission to tackle the stigma of HIV in adolescents, helping to provide access to care and education and providing psychosocial support.