BLOOMING CHIC
Models Alison Parson, left, and Georgia Paton-Durrant wear floral dresses by Nicola Downing from Harrogate at a display at the Harrogate Spring Flower show. The show is running at the Great Yorkshire Showground until Sunday.
Gardens have always been a great way to get across a message or a theme. Harrogate Flower Show director Nick Smith on the allure of show gardens.
GIVEN THE unpredictable spring weather it may be a Godsend – a garden that grows indoors.
Described as “a topsy-turvy world where plants and flowers take over the living space”, the Green House is one of the attractions at the Harrogate Flower Show, which opens today.
Model Alison Parson was at the preview to demonstrate a bathroom in which water lilies float on the water, and a bed made of aromatic herbs.
The show also features a trio of designs based on real gardens from across the region with difficult growing conditions.
Harrogate landscape gardener Nicholas Fryer was challenged to create solutions that could be used in dark watery bogs, heavy clay soil and exposed or dry conditions.
The show’s director Nick Smith said: “Show gardens are an incredibly popular feature, but they are often designed for perfect growing conditions. As we know, there are very few gardens with perfect soil, perfect drainage and a perfect aspect, so we wanted to showcase practical solutions that are designed to stand the test of time.” One of the designs is based on the holiday home of Helen Plowman on the Filey seafront, who wanted a display that would withstand the force of the winds off the North Sea. The show, at the Great Yorkshire Showground until Sunday, also has a warren of “secret sheds” which have been opened up to community groups to promote their activities. Mr Smith said: “Gardens have always been a great way to get across a message or a theme, and many organisations have taken the opportunity to highlight their work by creating a show garden to bring their story to life.”