Where Wildflowers Bloom

After examining our Tatton Park plant list, I created a brief collage to envision how our long border might appear with some substitutions. While this interpretation may not perfectly mirror reality, it helps to visualise and comprehend the potential impact of each plant.

  A quick 10 minute sketch to visualise key components of my design before digitally rendering the masterplan (not to scale). The site's flat terrain and the sight of distant boat masts, echoed in historical images, served as my inspiration. Emphasizing vertical planes is crucial for establishing enclosure and evoking drama in the space. My design envisages a lush buffer of Populus trees, an eco-centre elevated on stilts as a focal point, offering a harmonious blend of functionality and sustainability. Adding depth to the landscape, a watchtower stands tall, inviting visitors to admire panoramic views. Complementing these architectural features, various vertical art installations punctuate the scene, infusing the flat plane with creativity and intrigue.

  As we prepare for our Long Border display at Tatton Park Flower Show, we've been meticulously calculating the quantity of plants required. It seems we may have initially planned for an excess of planting, prompting a reassessment to streamline our selection while maintaining our desired visual impact within the confines of available pot sizes. Through this process, we've successfully managed to trim the budget by £300- a satisfying outcome indeed.

  Who am I? What do I want to do? Where do I want to go? I think 5 years ago I would have been able to answer this assertively.  I was in my prime, learning everyday and good at what I do. Yet a long period of furlough followed by 3 year's at university feels to have stunted my growth.  I have forgotten how powerful I can be when ignited by passion, knowledge and tangible achievement. To live fast and full, with big dreams and a tank full of self belief. As of today my ambition would be to live full, keep learning and do so in a place that is passionate about what it does - somewhere that sparkles with excitement and innovation with a touch of the traditional.  When I say innovative I do not solely mean technical, or even new. Can someone be innovative with old ideas? Old ideas applied to a new demographic facing exacerbating matters? Perhaps so.  Let's do that. I want to do that - wearing something stylish, somewhere(s) beautiful.  ...too ambitious? 

  The sketch above offers a glimpse of Castle Meads, featuring a proposed pedestrian river crossing to the right and riverside seating with an amenity play/sculpture area in the distance. Vegetation includes marginal planting, coppiced willow, and the existing willow tree positioned to the left. The furniture design is intentionally simple, drawing inspiration from the area's post-industrial maritime history. It seeks to evoke nostalgia by resembling materials reminiscent of its past, perhaps appearing as remnants from its maritime heritage. The timber seating will consist of reclaimed or distressed 'ship's timbers' or 'ship building timbers', historically used in shipbuilding and related maritime constructions. These timbers, typically large and heavy with square ends, often feature metal fasteners or clips. The layout aims to create the illusion that the ship timbers have come to rest naturally, some perhaps gently rolling down towards the water as depicted in...

After a successful entry into the RHS Tatton Park Long Borders Competition we now have the task of sourcing the plants specified in our design.  We are aware that some of our herbaceous and bulb species are fairly difficult to find so have taken to the soil ourselves. This week we had growth!!!!!  It always amazes me how nature works... Lidl's finest Dahlias on their way, watch this space! Not so much luck with our Eremurus, our hopes are set fairly low for these but our fingers remain crossed 🤞 #NothingGreatEverCameThatEasy 😀