RHS Malvern Spring Festival is leading the way in top design talent for 2017 with 6 leading designers set to create spectacular show gardens at the foot of the dramatic Malvern Hills.
Jane Furze, Head of RHS Malvern Spring Festival said: “2017 is my first as Head of RHS Malvern and I simply cannot wait to experience the transformation that the showground undertakes from breaking ground in the middle of April to the glorious reveal of the completed gardens just over three weeks later. I know it will take my breath away, just as it does our visitors every year. The Show Gardens are without doubt one of the most popular destinations and that is why this year we’re so pleased that the gardens are even bigger than ever before and we’ve added two further feature gardens to the mix too. The time is flying, the countdown to the festival is now upon us and I simply cannot wait.”
The RHS Malvern Spring Festival Show Gardens’ already outstanding reputation has grown considerably over the last couple of years with designers consistently being honoured with RHS gold medals. Many designers that take their first steps at Malvern go on to become some of the UKs very best, such as Chris Beardshaw, Paul Hervey-Brookes and Diarmuid Gavin. This year sees the return of 2016 Best In Show winner, Mark Eveleigh and show favourites Peter Dowle and Villaggio Verde. Previous RHS Gold Medal and Best In Show winner, Sue Jollans returns after a 10-year break and Tim Lawrence and Maia Hall are welcomed for the first time.
A GARDEN FRAMED BY TIM LAWRENCE
Using a series of four ‘pictures’ framed in oak; each picture contains an arrangement of plants, rock, and natural wood to convey the idea that a garden is a form of art. Tim Lawrence combines his love of plants and trees, his training in fine art and his love of nature, minimalism and Japanese design. A garden framed seeks to allow visitors to see the garden in a different way whilst appreciating a sense of beauty and peace.
BUCKFAST ABBEY MILLENNIUM GARDEN BY MAIA HALL
Sponsoring their first ever show garden and using first time show garden designer Maia Hall, Buckfast Abbey commemorates their millennium through their garden design. The garden acts as a window to a tranquil scene and looking through the middle oak window, visitors will see a stag sculpture that recreates the Buckfast Abbey logo. The garden will be scaled up and installed into the Abbey’s grounds in time for the millennium celebrations in 2018.
AT ONE WITH… A MEDITATION GARDEN BY PETER DOWLE
Peter incorporates a quiet retreat within a larger garden designed for meditation, yoga or simply a place to relax. The meditation area is a sunken circular area surrounded by planting and water by the side of a large pool, which features three spring outlets to represent the iconic Malvern Spring Water.
THE REFUGE BY SUE JOLLANS
Motivated and inspired by a response to today’s refugee crisis, Sue’s garden reflects the story of ordinary families in war-torn countries and their journey in search of a refuge. This symbolic garden is accessible via a boardwalk that signifies the journey over water, raised above a carpet of wildflowers, a communal space can be found complete with bread oven and room for children to play. The space aims to convey the feeling of community and safety.
TREE HOUSE GARDEN BY MARK EVELEIGH
Inspired by the Malvern Hill’s own St. Ann’s Well which was built in the Victorian period, Mark’s garden incorporates the overarching theme of this year’s show but with a contemporary twist. Featuring an octagonal shaped tree house and a wood fired hot tub, Mark’s playful signature style includes a subtle nod to Lord Tennyson, Charles Darwin and Florence Nightingale – all famous visitors to St Ann’s Well.
THE RETREAT BY VILLAGGIO VERDE
The Retreat is an imagined garden situated in the South of France. It’s an inviting, relaxing private ‘Spa-like’ space designed to promote health and wellbeing and includes a central wood-fired salt water hydrotherapy pool and a lounge area cooled by mist. The area is highly scented using aromatic planting commonly used in aromatherapy.
For the third year running, Readyhedge nursery is a festival supporter for the RHS Malvern Spring Festival and for this year’s show, have supplied hedging to most of the Show and Spa Gardens. Based in Worcestershire, Readyhedge is a wholesale nursery growing high quality instant hedging and screening plants.
There are also two further feature gardens at RHS Malvern this year. A permanent garden created by Jekka McVicar and a Wildlife Garden designed by Jon Wheatley as part of the Grow Zone.
RHS Malvern Spring Festival takes place from Thursday 11 May until Sunday 14 May 2017. Tickets are now on sale. For more information and to book tickets, please call 01684 584900 or visit RHS Malvern Spring Festival website.