I’ve been asked to tell you a little more about the plants I plan to use on the ‘Hasmead Sand & Ice Garden’ at the Chelsea Flower Show in May. (Note: I say ‘plan to use’, because as you can imagine getting a wide variety of plants in pristine condition and in flower if appropriate for the same week is a logistical nightmare. Adrian Shippey at Premier Trees, a subsidiary of Hasmead plc, my sponsor, has this unenviable task).
The theme behind the garden is climatic change, illustrated by looking at ice and desert, so some of the plants have the look of alpine plants, and some look more like desert plants (regardless of origin). The garden is not a representation of all of the climate classifications between Alpine and Desert - that would be quite hard in a garden 10 metres by 8 !! And all of the plants have a water-efficient character; ideal for areas which have periodic water shortages, and are suited to an open, sunny, well-drained garden.
The plants and flowers range from icy colours such as white/silver to yellows for the advancing desert on the other side. Lilac and purple Salvias and Sedums will provide a contrast and lift the scheme. Architectural plants, such as Elaeagnus ‘Quicksilver’ and Stipa gigantea will add height, structure, and movement. And Acacia Dealbata trees (Mimosa, or Silver Wattle) along the rear boundary will add a balance to the planting, and help to screen the pavilion beyond. The Acacias will not be in flower in May, but their spectacular leaves will be on display (see photo above).
The Acacia trees also act as a reminder of the European Union’s ACACIA project, which concluded that we must adapt to climate change, whatever we do about emissions. ACACIA stands, rather unbelievably, for “A Concerted Action towards a Comprehensive Impacts and Adaptations assessment”. Yes well … they are also beautiful, evergreen, and drought tolerant trees…
The Royal Horticultural Society has released a list of plants which they believe will thrive in the changing climate conditions, including Acacia: http://www.rhs.org.uk/learning/research/climate_change/plants.asp
The theme behind the garden is climatic change, illustrated by looking at ice and desert, so some of the plants have the look of alpine plants, and some look more like desert plants (regardless of origin). The garden is not a representation of all of the climate classifications between Alpine and Desert - that would be quite hard in a garden 10 metres by 8 !! And all of the plants have a water-efficient character; ideal for areas which have periodic water shortages, and are suited to an open, sunny, well-drained garden.
The plants and flowers range from icy colours such as white/silver to yellows for the advancing desert on the other side. Lilac and purple Salvias and Sedums will provide a contrast and lift the scheme. Architectural plants, such as Elaeagnus ‘Quicksilver’ and Stipa gigantea will add height, structure, and movement. And Acacia Dealbata trees (Mimosa, or Silver Wattle) along the rear boundary will add a balance to the planting, and help to screen the pavilion beyond. The Acacias will not be in flower in May, but their spectacular leaves will be on display (see photo above).
The Acacia trees also act as a reminder of the European Union’s ACACIA project, which concluded that we must adapt to climate change, whatever we do about emissions. ACACIA stands, rather unbelievably, for “A Concerted Action towards a Comprehensive Impacts and Adaptations assessment”. Yes well … they are also beautiful, evergreen, and drought tolerant trees…
The Royal Horticultural Society has released a list of plants which they believe will thrive in the changing climate conditions, including Acacia: http://www.rhs.org.uk/learning/research/climate_change/plants.asp
Linda Bush is a garden designer based in Kent.
