Best Of Both Worlds, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2018

Best of Both Worlds is a show garden inspired by stories of couples who share a love of gardening – but have very different tastes.  The key to a happy partnership – a garden for each of them.  On one side, a traditional space with loose planting inspired by country gardens: the other side is geometric and contemporary.  The traditional side has seating for breakfast and lunches; the contemporary space incorporates a sunken area with a fire-table for evening relaxation.  Each garden has a water feature, chosen to match the style of the space. The hard landscaping is also carefully designed to match each garden, with riven paving and warm-toned bricks on the traditional side, and sawn-edged dark pavers on the contemporary.

While this may be two gardens, together they unite to make up one outdoor living area.  The pleached trees define the spaces, but also allow for flow and conversation between the two spaces, as the plants start to mingle at the border.

The garden won a GOLD medal at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2018.

Sponsored by GoLandscape for British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI). GoLandscape initiative, supported by the RHS, encourages young people to pursue a career in horticulture. More than 20 apprentices including students in landscape studies, countryside management, garden design and apprentices working in the horticultural industry worked together under the direction of Rosemary and David Dodd of The Outdoor Room to craft a garden.

Photos Copyright Derek St Romaine.