‘Grow Your Own’ Planting design

RHS Hampton Court 2021

This bed was designed for and exhibited at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival 2021. Zoe submitted this design in January 2021 and it was selected by the RHS to exhibit that year.

In total 13 designs were exhibited in this category, all including a mix of flowers, fruit and vegetables. Zoe chose to do a design that anyone could try at home, and for these reasons she grew the majority of the plants herself, from seeds in her small garden.

The bed is called ‘vibrant fluidity’ and was designed to show that growing fruit, veg and flowers together can be beautiful. Inspiration for the bed came from reflecting on one of the lessons connecting with nature teaches us, that change is inevitable and everything will pass. For these reasons plants were chosen which were both fast growing and that move with the wind. A curved wood chip path, winding through the stems of vibrant flowers was created, and planting was formed in soft curves, to again give a sense of movement to the design.

Colours were chosen as they were vibrant and complimentary, showing the vibrancy of life. Orange was selected as a nod to the year of loss many experienced in 2020-21. Inspiration came from Día de Muertosn - the Mexican ‘day of the dead’ festival - where orange marigolds form a central part of the festivities. At this festival families come together to both mourn and celebrate the lives of loved ones.

The bed was well received at the show and is an example of planting design in practice.