2018 seems to be the year for show gardens for Kate and the team. Kate was honoured to be invited to design a garden in the ‘Landscape Garden’ category for the Bi-annual Singapore Garden Festival which takes place within the Gardens of the Bay in Singapore.

The Design

The garden Kate has designed is called ‘Urban Lifestyle’. A courtyard space is intended for the use of a community, living in surrounding apartment blocks.  The residents have no access to their own private gardens but can garden here in small numbers communally or on their own. Showcasing relatively small raised beds in different heights as well as hanging planters allows each area to be gardened individually as and when time permits.

Separate seating and lounging areas provide the residents with relaxing spaces.  One area, over a calm pool is covered by a lightweight pergola which shields people using the garden from windows and balconies above, offering both privacy and shade.

Materials take their reference from the assumed building facade and are intended to be sturdy for year-round use and longevity. A green wall faces into the courtyard to break up the vertical hardscape whilst static and moveable screens allow flexibility of use by opening up the space if desired. Colourful highlights provided by the pergola and pool add drama to a predominantly foliage rich planting palette which is grown in a soil free hydro system to minimise mosquito breeding in small confined residential spaces.

The plants and moving water feature are lit for effect at night and some of the cushions are made from glow in the dark fabric which requires no electrical input and creates effect without light pollution.

Images below show the garden through some of the stages of construction.

Kate was really looking forward to using a completely tropical plant palette as this somewhat differs from what she is able to use in her UK garden designs.

SGF 2018 –bringing together globally recognised names for a floral extravaganza

Happening at Gardens by the Bay from 21 July to 3 August, SGF 2018 will gather top international designers for three star components – Landscape Gardens, Fantasy Gardens, and Floral Windows to the World.

As anchor displays, the Fantasy and Landscape Gardens will bring together celebrated luminaries from 11 countries for a showcase of creativity and horticulture excellence in 80 sqm show gardens. Separately, Floral Windows to the World will feature colourful and vibrant floral masterpieces complemented with stunning set design and lighting, by notable floral artists from around the world. For each competition, judges can hand out Gold, Silver and Bronze medals with the overall winner being awarded the “Best of Show” title