RBC Garden to highlight inventive water treatment

The Royal Bank of Canada has chosen global water issues as their theme for the ‘RBC Waterscape Garden’ at the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Designed by Hugo Bugg, one of the UK’s young and exciting talents,  the garden will highlight global water issues and demonstrate practical, year-round water management solutions for home and garden.

Hugo, (pictured below) who won RHS Young Designer of the Year in 2010, has designed a garden which is in keeping with the goals of the RBC Blue Water Project, a wide-ranging 10-year global commitment to help protect the world’s fresh water resources.

Drawing inspiration from the parched effects caused by extreme global weather, the design is layered with naturally occurring geometric patterns. The resulting angles and striking motifs expose and conceal sections of the garden, enticing visitors to explore the space via a ‘floating walkway’. Water will be directed through the garden at different gradients and speeds, mimicking the natural watershed and showing how storm water management can replicate nature although in bold and inventive ways.

A variety of plants will have different roles in the garden’s filtration, rain garden, and retention pools inviting unusual combinations and contrasts. A range of trees, grasses and herbaceous perennials will attract, give shelter and provide food for birds and insects, while selected irises and geum ‘lemondrops’ will create a vibrant scene of blues, lime-greens and yellows.

Commenting on the collaboration with Royal Bank of Canada , Hugo Bugg said: “In tackling RBC’s brief, I was keen to present a concept that was fresh and bold yet practical and pertinent. The RBC Waterscape Garden will profile cutting edge features that promote urban cooling, flood prevention and biodiversity, while strong forms and lines illustrate how sustainable design can be elegant. My hope is that people will leave the garden empowered and inspired to improve water retention in their own gardens, and better understand of the importance of embracing the rain.”

Lynn Patterson, Director of Corporate Responsibility at RBC says they are thrilled to be partnering with such an exciting talent for the 2014 Show: “Hugo’s ability to take inspiration from a variety of sources and translate this into captivating garden design is truly commendable,” she says.