The M&G Garden
designed by Sarah Price
We were delighted to be working with the talented Sarah Price on the gold medal winning M&G Garden in 2018. This marked our 26th gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show. We last worked with Sarah at RHS Chelsea in 2012 building The Telegraph Garden which was also awarded a gold medal.
This year, Sarah’s design aimed to invoke a peaceful, dream-like haven that was inspired by Mediterranean landscapes. The meadow-inspired planting style featured deep punctuations of colour and exaggerated layering to create variations in height. Sarah designed the layering element of the garden by tearing multiple border sketches until she saw the effect she was looking for.
The garden was divided by walls to create a succession of framed views. These and other structural elements of the garden were created using rammed earth construction, an ancient method that makes use of sustainable, natural materials. Using a variety of materials such as sand, silt, gravel and clay; the walls had a graduated colour effect that brought a warm, Mediterranean feel to the garden.
Sarah’s choice of plants also reflected the Mediterranean inspiration behind the garden. The garden featured twisted wisteria stems, warmth-loving Lagerstroemia trees, scented thyme and, in the very heart of the garden, two mature pomegranate trees. In line with the meadow style planting, grasses were used to lend softened edges to the mix of flowers. Around the garden’s pathways gravel scree plantings of Asphodelus and Dianthus lent a natural, relaxed mood.
The colour combinations employed were attention-grabbing with intriguing clashes of deep pinks, lilacs and yellows with an interspersal of statement red poppies.
Sarah’s initial inspiration behind her design draws on her artistic background. She was influenced by the Claude Monet’s soft, natural outlines; the framing walls and windows of Pierre Bonnard; and the bright use of punctuating colour favoured by the Mexican architect Luis Barragan.
Sarah with her gold medal award for The M&G Garden.
The dividing walls created a succession of framed views.
Different textures brought a warm, Mediterranean feel to the garden.
The meadow-inspired planting style featured deep punctuations of colour.
Exaggerated layering created variations in height.
