RHS Chatsworth garden aimed at ‘generation rent’

Garden designer, Tanya Batkin who will be displaying her ‘Moveable Feast Garden‘ at the new RHS Chatsworth Flower Show (7th to 11th June 2017) is on a mission.Tanya’s garden promises a colourful treat with a garden design that proves that a garden can be not just practical, easy to grow and versatile for the ‘generation renters’ but also bursting with atmospheric ambience.

Tanya wants to show just how easy it can be for young couples of the ‘generation rent’ section of society to grow beautiful ornamentals and tasty edibles at home, reinforcing the notion of it being inspirational, aspirational and attainable.

Many of those aged between 25 and 40 years are in rented accommodation and are uncertain about their gardening skills. Tanya points out that they do not want to spend too much time or money when recreating a garden each time they move.

Above – Dark Paving

The modular design is transportable and can easily be redesigned to adapt to a new area through the use of large, yet portable, planters. Those that follow trends need not worry either, as the natural materials of wood and stone, supplied by Digby Stone,  can be updated with paint finishes and semi-permanent transfer colour, so the hues can be changed as desired.

A selection of edible and ornamental plants will be planted together and annuals and biennials will also be used as they are well suited to being sown in situ. Over half the garden will be made up of edible or medicinal plants to include salad crops, edible flowers and fruit.The mix of herbs in the garden, will provide the joy of tasting the changing seasons in food, teas and cocktails and will be provided by The Cottage Herbery.

These will include African Blue Basil, Wasabi,English Mace and Miners Lettuce. Dwarf Rhubarb, Dwarf Hops and edible Dahlias will be just some of the sumptuous array of fruit plants on display, many of which are brand new for this year, from Lubera. The finishing touch of superb trees will be the perfect topping of greenery for ‘The Moveable Feast Garden’ supplied by The Tree Shop at Frank Matthews.

Tanya is the director of Vergette Ltd., Garden Design and is based on the border of Hereford and Worcester. ‘Moveable Feast’ will be exhibited in the Show Garden category.