Laurent-Perrier Garden, Chelsea Flower Show 2007
Description
A Moment of Reflection
Designed by Jinny Blom
The Laurent-Perrier Garden at the 2007 RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a garden for reflection, tranquillity and calm, designed by award winning designer Jinny Blom.
The design is inspired by the ‘journey of life’ we all take. A number of paths take different routes through the garden at varying levels – highs and lows – to represent a journey through shifting and unpredictable moments in life.
These pathways are created from Travertine marble on concrete plinths, cleverly combining elements of antiquity with contemporary methods, using a design style in homage to 1950’s Italian architect Carlo Scarpa whose techniques often combined the beautiful and the mundane.
A sculptural progression of circular shapes structure the garden and also act as ‘moon gates’ to and from the garden. A simple and transparent bronze solar gate at the garden’s entrance symbolises life beginning, and invites visitors in. This is echoed by a complex, floating lunar gate suspended above a dark, still pond with stepping-stones, symbolising more challenging transitions in life.
A final red sandstone circular disk forms a dramatic backdrop to a seat at the end of the garden that borders somewhere for contemplation and relaxation, and frames the sitter like the moon.
This garden is a warm, peaceful setting with naturalistic planting and finely handcrafted details. The planting is lush and floral, yet delicate, making lavish use of romantic umbellifers, including Astrantias. The fragility is balanced by a strong, sheer hornbeam hedge, enclosing the garden, and candle shaped fastigiated oaks that punctuate the axis of the sculptural structures.
The dominant colours are burgundy, claret and soft pinks, shot through with lime green and flashes of orange towards the solar end.
Designer Jinny Blom commented, “I was inspired by life in all its wonderful diversity – how we live through both the difficult and the good times. I thought let’s celebrate it and all things wonderful in a garden. And obviously Laurent-Perrier Champagne is the perfect partner for this celebration!”
The Laurent-Perrier Garden is supported by the prestigious Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle Champagne, which represents the pinnacle of champagne blending – calling on wines from the finest growths and the very best vintages.
Laurent-Perrier’s partnership with Jinny Blom follows on from the success of last year’s French themed Laurent-Perrier Garden, designed by Jinny. She also co-designed the award winning Laurent-Perrier Harpers & Queen Garden – ‘The Healing Garden’ – with HRH The Prince of Wales in 2002.
As in previous years, the Laurent-Perrier Garden is built by www.crocus.co.uk, the UK’s largest on-line garden centre, where most of the plants on the garden will be available for purchase on-line.
The 2007 RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from Tues 22nd – Sat 26th May (22nd / 23rd are RHS members days). Tickets (all must be booked in advance) range from £17 to £39 (for non-RHS members), plus handling charges. To book, call 0870 906 3781.
