Amidst the distant hum of parakeets and the rumble of aircraft, a quiet corner of the Chelsea Flower Show draws the eye to the plants at its base. Here, the delicate tracery of herb robert, the purple buds of plantain, the sprawling growth of bramble, and the bristly texture of nettle create a miniature landscape. This garden, situated on a boulder in a clearing surrounded by hawthorn, privet, and silver birch, offers a sense of sanctuary.
A Tribute to Unprotected Spaces
Named ‘On the Edge,’ this garden celebrates the often-overlooked edgelands – the fringes of our urban and suburban environments. These are not grand vistas, but modest, unprotected spaces found near towns and cities, places one might discover in the woods or seek out in moments of low spirits. Designed by Sarah Eberle, the garden commemorates the centenary of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and launches an interactive map of England’s countryside edges, a project collecting personal stories and memories of these locales.
The Serenity of Gaia
Dog roses are artfully woven through loops and swirls of willow, which elegantly flow along a drystone wall. This willow represents the flowing hair of Gaia, a colossal sleeping figure masterfully carved from fallen redwood by chainsaw artist Chris Wood. A subtle scent of linseed emanates from the recumbent sculpture, its bow-shaped lips and closed eyes exuding a serene, Buddha-like quality. The willow continues its embrace, weaving through mossy dead branches and encircling a slender tree trunk, symbolizing Gaia’s hair bringing life to the garden glade.
Local Lives and Unexpected Beauty
The design imagines local people tending to this space, appreciating its wild flora, including ferns, cow parsley, buttercups, campion, and ox-eye daisies. Naturalized plants, perhaps originating from someone’s garden, add to the scene, such as the large, palmate leaves of Rodgersia and the pale jade globes of Angelica. An unexpected point of beauty is found in the shifting shadows cast by leaves across a weathered concrete farm trough. This trough, stained with lichen and its rim chipped from years of livestock use, holds water covered in a green film of duckweed, occasionally disturbed by dark ripples from below.
A Message of Preservation
This show garden serves a critical purpose: to highlight the threats facing urban edgelands. Its emotional resonance and ability to connect with visitors are clear indicators of its success. The CPRE garden has been awarded a gold medal and the coveted ‘best in show’ award. These plants evoke childhood memories of exploring abandoned lanes and the familiar snowball tree from a parent’s garden. The hope is that others will have the opportunity to experience and cherish these seemingly unremarkable, yet profoundly special, places.
