Kingston Maurward returns to Chelsea
Following the success of their first RHS Chelsea garden in 2019, Kingston Maurward has once again joined up with local plant growers and suppliers to celebrate Dorset horticulture with a garden in the Sanctuary category at the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Inspiration for the garden comes from a visit to Kingston Maurward’s sister garden La Mortola (The Hanbury Botanical Gardens) in Italy, with the College’s own garden designer and lecturer, Michelle Brown, taking ideas from the gardens on the French Riviera to create a space fusing styles from Dorset and Europe.
The theme is melodic fusion of shade, light and movement, with emphasis on contrasting heights and depths. Much of the preparation has been done at the College’s Dorchester estate with students making the sub frame for the elevated walkways, platforms and Social Den structure with the Blacksmithing & Welding department; Construction and Horticulture students are preparing Western Red Cedar, sourced locally for the platforms and sanctuary boundary fences. The boundaries feature windblown branches and trees and provide a refuge for wildlife.
Students are also rearing and culturing the many herbaceous, resticos and hardy exotic plants for the build in the week running up to the Show. Feature plants include Trachycarpus palm trees and a mixture of Bamboos, Acers and Magnolias.
Project Lead and Head of Horticulture, Joanna Jeffery, and Designer, Michelle Brown, said: “We are really excited to be collaborating with our local garden industry and proud to show what our college can create, whilst highlighting climate change and sustainability. We are also keen to demonstrate our contribution towards zero waste by sourcing as many materials as we can from Kingston Maurward College’s 750 acre estate, and ensuring our carbon footprint is kept to a minimum.”
At the 2019 Show the College was awarded a Silver-Gilt and we wish the team every success for their 2022 garden.
Credits: Garden image and student photograph ©Kingston Mauward
