A stunning back garden that resembles a work of art when viewed through glass sliding doors and a quirky outdoor space designed with a city-dwelling hipster couple in mind. There’s no denying that BBC Gardeners’ World Live is an event that caters for every conceivable taste.
Inspirational and achievable – that’s the mantra for this much-loved showcase of great garden design, which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from June 15 to 18.
Marshalls is delighted to once again be supporting the show, which celebrates its 25thyear of being a fixture in the calendar of keen gardeners from right across the country. For the second year, we are providing products for some truly show-stopping gardens set to take up residence in the event’s prestigious APL Avenue.
This show garden competition, run in conjunction with the Association of Professional Landscapers, gives the opportunity for five APL landscape contractors and chosen designers to build gardens that will be seen by more than 90,000 visitors over the course of the four days.
With a front or small back garden theme, the gardens are inspirational and, most of all, relatable, providing some great take-home ideas for enthusiastic show-goers.
Designed by Cherry Carmen, the Big Fish Landscapes Garden is a back garden created for a middle-aged couple looking to upgrade their outdoor area to match their renovated house. Enthusiastic nature and art lovers, their aim is to make it a space that resembles a piece of art when seen through their glass sliding doors.
So the innovative decking area converts into lounge chairs to provide a perfect viewing platform. A moss graffiti garden wall is a natural and wildlife-friendly way to introduce art into the garden and to spruce up a plain wall. Meanwhile, architectural log piles attract mammals, bees and insects and a large tree and pergola create a bird-friendly canopy as well as providing subtle privacy.
This striking garden makes beautiful use of SYMPHONY Vitrified Plank Paving, which offers all the attractive advantages of wood with no warping or degradation, its warm Cherry colour displaying a stunning array of red-brown tones. It’s complemented by copings of SYMPHONY Vitrified Paving in rich Copper.
Contrast comes courtesy of the clean contemporary lines of Stoneface Drystack Veneer Walling in eye-catching Oyster Quartzite. A revolutionary new natural stone walling system, it creates the illusion of a seamless expanse across the wall while combining outstanding looks and ease of installation with impressive cost effectiveness. Atlantic Cobbles, Atlantic Pebbles, Part Worn Boulders and Sea Washed Aggregate provide the perfect finishing touches to the garden.
Elsewhere on APL Avenue, the challenge of converting a concrete yard into an oasis of urban greenery is met head-on by Living Gardens’ quirky ‘It’s Not Just About the Beard…’ Garden. The brainchild of designers Peter Cowell and Monty Richardson, it draws inspiration from the industrial themes seen in bars and clubs.
The main feature is a floating lounging platform with a bespoke steel wood burner and beanbags, creating space to entertain, party and relax. An outdoor bar made from reclaimed materials – along with a place to grow fruit and vegetables – creates a funky, functional area.
The industrial theme is softened by the clever use if rich green foliage with splashes of colour and trees for privacy.
Once again the garden incorporates our hugely popular SYMPHONY Vitrified Plank Paving in vibrant Copper, along with Old Mill Brick Garden Walling which lends the timeless look of quality crafted brickwork while offering the same frost resistance and strength of any modern brick. It’s perfect for bringing an authentic, vintage feel to any outdoor space.
A wide range of Marshalls products will be on view in plenty of other gardens at the show too. Look out for Paul Stone’s Nostalgia Garden, featuring Cobblestone Riven Setts in gorgeous Calder Brown, and the distinguished Heritage Riven Garden Paving in golden Yorkstone that graces the Anniversary Garden created by Bob Lewin of Howle Hill Nursery in Herefordshire.
Bob Sweet, the show’s Horticultural Director, said: “Marshalls is a fantastic partner for BBC Gardeners’ World Live, providing quality products from their domestic ranges for a number of our Show Gardens, including the APL Avenue.
“APL Avenue is a particularly inspiring group of Show Gardens for visitors as they are designed with real clients in mind, with real budgets, average-sized gardens and packed with character. Be it a garden for a retired couple, a new family or urban hipsters, visitors will find wall-to-wall design inspiration, planting combinations and savvy take-home ideas.
“With the Marshalls landscaping products underpinning the designs, visitors can get an idea of what is achievable and, what’s more, speak with the Association of Professional Landscapers to help make it a reality in their own gardens.”
Marshalls will be at BBC Gardeners’ World Live and we would love to see you. Come and visit us at stand number E348 for expert advice and guidance on creating your ideal outdoor space. We will also take you through our range of inspirational products – the perfect way to fire your imagination on the journey to the garden of your dreams.
