Show Garden for Writtle College

Chelsea Flower Show 1999

The Brief
Having graduated from Writtle College in 1998 and gained a Diploma in Garden Design (distinction), Angela designed a courtyard garden which was chosen by the college to represent them at the Chelsea Flower Show 1999.

The Garden
The garden was entitled ‘Velvet & Brocade.’ It was a formal design with a central paved area comprising dark grey slate with deep blue glazed ceramic tile inserts. A black wrought iron seat with plush purple velvet and brocade cushions confirmed the theme. The planting took up the theme with deep purples and deep blues punctuated with splashes of gold (copper and orange coloured flowers) and silver (grey-leaved plants such as Santolina and Artemisia) and bronze (Fennel and Heuchera). The general impression was sumptuous and regal – many plants had regal names, eg. Anchusa azurea ‘Loddon Royalist’, Geum ‘Prince of Orange’ and Tulipa ‘Queen of Night.’ The garden gained a silver-gilt medal award from the RHS.