‘Landscape Obscured'

17/05/2011

As Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2011 fast approaches, we thought we'd give you a little taste of what's in store...We should know, we're exhibiting!

Those who frequent the annual Hampton Court Palace Flower Show will be aware that the conceptual gardens category is usually original, innovative and thought provoking. The exhibits are supposed to stretch and challenge peoples' perceptions of what makes a garden, and it is therefore fair to say that this year's Graduate Landscapes garden fits the bill perfectly.

‘Landscape Obscured' is the intriguing title of the garden and its meaning becomes clear when you realise that the garden is based around a subterranean world of mushrooms, moss and lichen, revealed only when peering in through rusted steel periscopes!

Although he is usually found in our Liphook offices creating beautiful, viable garden designs, Graduate Landscape's garden designer Dan Lobb has had to find a fresh design approach and learn an array of new skills in order to develop this unique concept into reality.

When, in a recent magazine interview, Dan Lobb was asked where the inspiration for the design came from, he modestly replied, ‘There is no process, it often simply happens.'  It is therefore sufficient to say that Dan's innate interest in the environment is to thank for his stumbling across the innovative concept of a concealed mushroom garden.

The garden aims to highlight the issue of the effect of human consumption on the environment, by focussing attention on the mushroom which has been badly affected by over-harvesting. Although this is a situation that few may be aware of, it is a pertinent issue which has had the RHS selection panel intrigued to say the least!

The imaginative use of living fungi means that, throughout the week of the show, the garden will grow and develop, allowing visitors an ever evolving insight into the lifecycle of the mushroom. Underground lighting via solar panels will illuminate the different forms of fungi, giving the garden an ethereal atmosphere sure to excite and fascinate both adults and children alike. Then, at the end of the last day, what better way to illustrate the effect of human consumption on our planet than to harvest all the mushrooms, leaving bare, empty spaces in their wake? But fear not, these fine organic mushrooms will not go to waste and if you happen to be visiting our garden at the right moment, your taste buds may well be in for a treat!   

So, with a unique and creative design in place and a sustainable organic mushroom supplier on board (Fundamentally Fungus), it's looking to be an exciting week at this year's Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Come and find us at plot TH64 - we look forward to seeing you there!