The Pro Corda Garden: A Suffolk Retreat

Suffolk-based garden designer Frederic Whyte is excited to be back at RHS Chelsea. He returns in 2016 with an artisan garden – The Pro Corda Garden: A Suffolk Retreat – inspired by the 700 year old Leiston Abbey, home of Pro Corda, one of the leading music course providers in Europe.

Quiet, or alive with music, the senses enjoy an uplifting treat in this garden. Natural music is created by the sound of running water, bees buzzing and birds singing. At intervals, ensemble music will fill the garden from speakers by the Italian lighting brand Davide Groppi.

The garden is conceived in the Arts & Crafts style of the early 20th century, focusing on quality of design, use of natural materials, local artisans and handmade craftsmanship. Frederic celebrates the vernacular architecture of Suffolk, combining timber, flint, lime washed mortar and pargetting. Neat beds billow with grasses and an exuberant mix of roses, peonies and irises. Yew trees add to the feeling of seclusion.

The garden will be built by Living Landscapes, led by director Tecwyn Evans, using traditional landscaping skills, seamlessly weaving together the works of a handpicked selection of Suffolk’s finest artisans. Joanna Welsh from East Suffolk, will create musical-themed pargetted panels to decorate the summerhouse; the Bulmer Brick and Tile Company will provide hand-made pavers and peg-tiles on the roof of the summerhouse and Lowestoft-based garden structures manufacturer Harrod Horticultural have been commissioned for a pig trough water feature – a nod to Suffolk’s farming heritage.

Designer, Frederic Whyte’s life-long passion for the visual arts and extensive horticultural knowledge, helps him create carefully balanced but exciting studies in planting style, colour and texture. He works across the UK and in Italy.

Frederick has been awarded a silver-medal in 2012 and a gold medal in 2013, at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and we wish him every success with his artisan garden this year.