Southport Flower Show 2011

Okay, it wasn't first place. But we were still delighted to be the runners up for the Southport Flower Show student garden design competition. As ever, the competition was popular. The organisers announced that over 100 application forms had been requested and that there were entries from 31 different institutions. Each of us was vying for the chance to build a show garden at the largest independent flower show in the UK with sponsorship of £7,000 plus expenses. Sadly, we just missed out on this prize, coming second place.

The theme was 'Vintage'. We were instructed that this related to the 1950s, 60s, 70s or 80s. Interestingly, not to winemaking (which was a shame as we had thought up some interesting structures from wine racks and water features from champagne bottles).  So instead Andy and I produced a design entitled 'Never mind the Echinops'.

Not everyone immediately recognises the pastiche. But if you don't, by way of helping hand, check out this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_Mind_the_Bollocks,_Here%27s_the_Sex_Pistols

And also, what is an Echinops? Here is a picture of Echinops bannaticus 'Taplow Blue'. 

Yes. Echinops is a thistle. We had toyed with the idea of 'Never mind the Hollyhocks' but hollyhocks were difficult to place in the eventual planting scheme. And we didn't want the design to be governed by its title!

How to describe the garden. Well the clue is in the name. The intention was an exploration of the 1970s: a period overshadowed by high unemployment, social unease, a decline in British manufacturing, and an increase in political radicalism. These sentiments were exemplified most readily in the Punk movement of the late 1970s, epitomised by the likes of The Clash, Vivienne Westwood, and of course The Sex Pistols. To this end, the garden embraces the discord found in Punk culture with an imaginative use of materials.

Our design was carefully thought out to maximise the space (the plot is 6m x 6m and open on two sides).  The overwhelming presence is the carcass of a Mini Cooper (itself an iconic design of the period) which - along with the back wall - is covered in garish graffiti of bright limes, oranges and pinks. This sums up the disillusionment - yet vibrancy - of the era.

But by gum was that Mini tricky to incorporate, owing to its size in relation to the space.  Andy and I spent hours labouring over angles to make sure it could be viewed from both sides without it blocking off chunks of the garden.  It was its positioning which then dictated and set the grid for the rest of the scheme, in particular the seating area. 

To balance the imposing presence of a wrecked vehicle, are large jet black, ribbed, industrial piping units (up to 1.2m in diameter and from 45cm to 1.6m in height). These are themselves also used as planters and act as a backdrop for much of the planting in the garden. These pipes represent the manufacturing age of the 1970s, which was drawing to its close.

The square seating area is made up of black setts which frame a core of silver aggregate. This is reminiscent of an industrial wasteland. The harsh desolate landscape characterises the raging of 1970s Punk youth. In keeping with this idea, four concrete seats jut upwards. In the centre is a water feature made of metal mesh over a bog pond. The materials are intentionally industrial, modern and man made.

Softening the Mini, however, are swathes of planting, Centranthus ruber tumbling from the remnants of the bonnet and boot, and out of the windows of the vehicle. Hence, the car becomes a planting feature.

And to contrast, yet work with these hard materials, masses of spiky echinops and valerian sway between the piping units. While around the seating area, carpet planting of yarrow, Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland' and Knautia macedonica blend the scene.

Andy and I are delighted with the design and as ever found creating a concept garden a lot of fun!