Home » Plants & Animals » English Country Gardening » Chelsea Flower Show 2000

Chelsea Flower Show 2000

© Jane Hollis

Water, water, everywhere - that seemed to be the main theme of the Chelsea Show Gardens this year. The best garden in show award went to the exhibit sponsored by Gardens Illustrated, which combined aspects of both traditional and modern. It featured a large modern sculpture at one end (left), but also various forms of topiary and herbaceous planting. An unusual water feature occupied the central space, consisting of a series of stainless steel bowls set in topiared squares, with water jets directed from one bowl to another. The planting, designed by Piet Oudolf, featured rich, dark tones from astrantias, salvias and acteas.

The Daily Telegraph garden, designed by Christopher Bradley-Hole, caused much controversy, although it was awarded a gold medal. Entitled the Living Sculpture Garden, it was very modern and minimalist, featuring a large expanse of still water upon which massive sculptural rocks seemed to float. The planting was very simple and grassy, with just a few coloured blooms. The pool was traversed by walkways of decking and water flowed from a translucent chute in one corner (right). One bystander was heard to remark "Where are the flowers? This is called a flower show after all." However, the overall effect was very simple and tranquil.

Arabella Lennox-Boyd's exhibit, A Garden for all Time, was very popular with the crowds and again was a skilful blend of modern and traditional styles. There was a central lawn with polished metal edges surrounded by water. Ancient olive trees sat in square islands which appeared to float at the corners of the lawn (left). The focal point was a large polished metal frame which highlighted an unusual water feature consisting of a glass cube supported by a grassy mound. The minimalist effect was softened by light herbaceous planting.

Another modern glass water feature (right) took centre stage in another mainly traditional garden. In Allison Armour Associates' Garden of Reflections, the water feature consisted of a glass ball sitting in a mirrored bowl, in the middle of a grass lawn surrounded by white border planting.

The tradestands also featured some unusual water features, the most outstanding of which was this massive zip (left) from Mark Hall. These abstract granite features (right) were also appealing.

The new modular marquee was a great improvement on the old canvas one, providing better ventilation and easier access to the internal exhibits. Hardys Cottage Garden Plants had thoughtfully arranged their stand into displays of plants for sunny dry soil, sunny moist soil, dry shade and moist shade. Shown below is their selection for sunny dry soil.

The copyright of the article Chelsea Flower Show 2000 in English Country Gardening is owned by . Permission to republish Chelsea Flower Show 2000 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.