New Forest Show 2024

Winner of Centaur Trophy for Best Show Garden

Welcome Large Gold medal winning Show Garden – this garden is designed to provide a relaxing sanctuary for a busy couple in a compact urban plot.

For this space, Wild Places had partnered with Minster Decking and SL Goodall Landscaping and Gardening.

---

This garden has been designed to provide inspiration for a compact space, perhaps in a new build plot or in an urban setting. In these situations, neighbouring homes and boundaries can shade borders for much of the day; the borders here use plants which thrive in partial shade, and we’ve introduced species which prefer sun in the centre of the plot which gets the best light. Very few plants need special care and most are hardy requiring little over-winter protection. Dense planting will reduce weeding, which is ideal for a busy couple. Greens, plums, and pops of orange give a lush, opulent feel to the planting which has permanent form in all seasons; flowers are limited but provide changing points of interest through the year.

The luxurious, tactile Ipe decking provides an informal area to lounge at the level of the planting whilst a dining zone is finished in brutal, urban materials (poured concrete and rusted steel). The colours complement each other but textures contrast, helping the sense of movement and transition between the two seating areas. As space is at a premium, we’ve chosen collapsible seats and squashy ground cushions so that they can be stowed away easily without need for a shed.

---

With thanks to Elliotts and Marchants Nursery for the materials, and plants on loan:

Here is our planting list: