Chelsea Flower Show 2017 surprises with sculptures

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, held annually in London, is the most significant event that dictates landscaping trends around the world. This year, in 2017, several Lithuanians traveled there, and after their trips, we created a series of three interviews.

Here you can find the official page of the organizers and learn about the gardens presented at this year’s exhibition, with the winners taking home the best prizes after the exhibition. And below are the live impressions of the exhibition, which they took home Egle Sunilaitende («Erica Arboretum»).

Lina Liubertaitė: Why did you choose to take part in the «Chelsea Flower Show 2017» this year? What do you think of it overall?

the traditional flower garden played the role of a social network

Egle Sunilaiholds: I try to attend the Chelsea Flower Show each year if possible. It’s unfortunate, but the photos do not capture the feeling of the space you get when you see it live. The first time was a special experience. I liked everything a lot. Later, you notice that many things are repeated, and there are fewer unique ideas. This year, I also saw gardens that were not very impressive; they seemed to lack a clear concept and were too complex. Still, the general impression is positive.

Lina: Tell us how the winning garden (see here) came to you when you saw it in person?

Spruce: Looking at James Basson’s garden before the exhibition, I could not believe that it could win the main prize of the exhibition. Even seeing it live wasn’t exciting. But when evaluating you should not forget the purpose of the project. The author wanted to depict a Maltese garden with typical plants and materials. The main idea was to plant dry climate plants so that they could survive on their own without any maintenance. I think this is the very essence of environmental design: choosing plants based on climate and soil. It’s just that maybe one year was not enough for everything to grow well without additional watering and fertilizers. The idea itself changes the way you think about the garden and the exhibition is definitely worth winning. I think that for those who have been to Malta that garden aroused much more positive emotions than for me.

Lina: What are your 3 favorite gardens, did you like them the most?

Spruce: Fresh Garden by Kate Gould was my favorite. Very welcoming spaces, beautiful and well-placed decorations, selected shady plants.

Lina: What trends do you think the exhibition will dictate this year?

Spruce: I never try to see trends. I believe there is a specific texture with its own environment, lighting and microclimate. I believe that it is not worth creating «latest fashion» gardens, because setting up a garden is a big investment, the trend will soon go out of fashion and it will be very clear when the garden will be set up. Fashions will become morally obsolete.

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Instead of blindly following the wind of fashion, it is better to emphasize the advantages of the designed garden and disguise the disadvantages. An idea can only be tried if it suits a specific case, but under no circumstances should an idea or trend be forced into your backyard. With proper space planning and plant selection, every garden can become a fashion and trendsetter.