WATER FEATURES WERE A MAJOR THEME AT THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

A big trend at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year was water features! From formal fountains to rain saving devices, water was key to so many of the garden designs.

FLOOD AND DROUGHT

As the weather becomes more volatile as climate change sets in, our gardens have to struggle with the extremes of scarcity and flood. The Flood Resilient Garden, designed by Dr Ed Barsley and Naomi Slade was layered with terraces and walkways above a pond dug to contain excess water in the centre of the space. The plants ranged from water loving marsh marigolds, lady’s smock and potentilla palustris at the bottom level of the garden where the water collects. The covered seating area was cleverly designed to divert rain from the roof and store it via the interconnecting containers that combined into a quirky but practical water feature.  The upper sections of the garden had beautiful roses, cornus kousa and salvia, whilst the middle level of the garden had tough plants, adaptable to fluctuations in water conditions. It was bursting with foxgloves, ferns and astrantia major. This shows how combining innovative landscaping with a well planned planting scheme can create a beautiful space to enjoy whatever the weather.

 

A cleverly terraced garden with rain saving roof and contained water feature created to make a livable garden that can adapt to flood and droughts.

The Water Aid Garden designed by Tom Massey and Je Ahn harvests water on a much larger scale, with huge funnels that collect and store water for times of drought. These massive structures are planted with a mixture of resilient plants. This garden was an innovative and striking space using new ways to adapt and flourish in our changing world. This design is the least likely to be replicated in home gardens, but it still uses a sculpture like centre piece with a practical water storage solution. This may inspire other sculptors to create pieces with a practical water storage functions.

 

These large copper funnels in this garden harvest and store rain water.

 

A RETURN TO FORMALITY

There was a distinct return to classically styled spaces at the show, with elegant fountains and opulently planted beds. The Newt’s A Roman Garden was a formal courtyard inspired by architecture from the Roman Empire, bursting with roses and irises. The lushly planted beds were punctuated with stylised busts on tall pedestals.

 

A Roman inspired garden with busts on pedestals and fluted columns.

The whole garden was edged with a myriad of beautiful fluted columns that held up a tiled awning. This provided shelter to enjoy the garden despite rain or beating sun. Each corner was finished with a simple birdbath shaped fountain, for a fresh and cooling feel. The trickling water created a soothing ambiance and a sense of calm.

 

A Roman inspired courtyard garden with fluted columns and petite birdbath shaped small fountains.

The Bridgerton Garden was a feminine retreat, designed by Holly Johnston, with a romantic tiered fountain in the centre. This was combined classically styled garden ornaments and blousy blooms that the crowds adored! This intimate space was pretty and easy to replicate at home. This was such a popular garden, who wouldn’t want to step into this space and enjoy afternoon tea or a starlit soiree?

 

The popular Bridgerton Garden oozed romance with an elegant tiered fountain in the center.

The armillary sphere added to the charm and elegance of this space, with a vintage swoon that was difficult to resist! Read more about this garden and how to get the look, here.

MODERN WATER FEATURES

The RHS Chelsea Repurposed garden had a retro feel with mismatched water features that had a 1970’s industrial vibe that somehow worked with the bright pink and orange fencing and sporadic drought tolerant planting.  This star shaped tired fountain sat opposite a record player style concrete block water feature.

 

A retro, star shaped tiered water feature.

This made visitors rethink beauty and encouraged reinvention and innovation. This reuse of old garden ornaments created a sense of tranquility with an eclectic style. Designed by Darryl Moore and Toby Magee to celebrate the past, present and future of landscaping.

 

A repurposed concrete water feature.

This retro styling spilled out into Tom Bannister‘s Ecotherapy Garden. This plunge pool style courtyard space had a number of water spouts, pooling water down into a concrete style square water feature at the end. An interesting mix of lush planting and hard landscaping blurring the lines between the late twentieth century style and contemporary maximalism. The sound of the water was integral to the sensory experience of this space designed to retreat into.

 

A courtyard garden with a mixture of retro landscaping with lush and contemporary planting.

The Water Saving Garden designed by Sam Proctor had a more modern, sleek finish than the other gardens. But it continued the focus on water features with a clever design to conserve it. The deep blue fiberglass planters hid a self watering system, making the best use of rainwater. This garden could be replicated in most residential gardens and courtyards, where the sound of running water could be enjoyed in a compact and efficient way.

 

A contemporary courtyard garden with large, deep blue resin planters.

 

BE INSPIRED

If you love the idea of a fountain or water feature for your garden come and see us. We have a wide range of styles and sizes to suit gardens of all sizes. Our garden ornaments have been handmade since we opened over seventy years ago in 1953. Stroll around our gardens in the Kent countryside outside Tunbridge Wells or get in touch here.

 

A large, handmade, tiered fountain in a romantic garden, by Chilstone.

For more information on WATER FEATURES WERE A MAJOR THEME AT THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW talk to Chilstone Architectural Stone & Garden Ornaments