Roland Beginner

Ive really enjoyed doing this show - the challenges are what appeals to me most. Trying to make a garden in a too small space, having 3 mainly rainy days to create something that looks like its been there for a while, and of course - a very tight budget.















This show has also confirmed some of my landscape leanings. Ive realised that I love contrast. If I was to get philosophical Id say its because I live in an amazing country with such stark contrasts, and obvious beauty. But its really that I think the beauty of one plant/ texture/ colour/ material is hardly appreciated without something to contrast it with.





The theme was "The French Courtyard" which Ive assumed was a very loose one. But I decided to take some of the aspects that are typical French garden (statuary, clipped hedges and Lavender), and plant wild-looking indigenous Euphorbias and Aloes alongside. In the process, I think, the individual qualities of the plants are enhanced.








The design was based around three inter-linking circles, with different materials, textures, styles, and plants in each. Even with my use of hard materials - Ive used rough natural stone and smooth Tuscany cobblestones.