About the Border
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder is designed for gardeners of all ages and experience levels who enjoy colour, seasonal planting and emotionally engaging gardens. Visitors will encounter an eye-shaped border with a reflective corten steel water ‘pupil’ and graduated bamboo posts give verticality to the design.
The planting follows a clear colour journey, with advancing reds and oranges at the front, transitioning through fresh greens into smoky blues and purples at the back.
The garden also reflects a personal belief that gardeners should feel free to choose plants simply because they find them beautiful.
Design Inspiration and Purpose
The design is inspired by the human eye and the RGB colour model, alongside a personal interest in how people respond emotionally to colour and planting which is a current/upcoming trend.
The garden promotes personal wellbeing through gardening, colour psychology, and the freedom to design with emotion and individuality rather than trends.
Visitors are encouraged to leave with a simple message: there is no single right way to design a garden, beauty is subjective and deeply personal.
Sustainability
Elements will be relocated to the designer’s garden and he will document this process on his socials. He will also some plants and run giveaways.
The garden demonstrates how simple materials and strong planting can create impact with minimal heavy construction and landscaping.
Planting
The planting follows a clear colour theme: red and orange advancing toward the viewer, green as a transitional layer, and smoky blues and purples receding into the background.
Key plants
- Geum – strong spring colour and movement
- Allium – vertical rhythm and smoky colour
- Digitalis (foxglove) – height and drama
- Euphorbia – structure and green transition
- Heuchera – dark base and edge definition
Suppliers who prioritise peat-free composts and UK-grown stock, to reduce transport and environmental impact, have been chosen to provide the approximately 350-400 plants that will make up this border.
About the Designer
Inspired by watching his mum, who transformed her new build garden into a relaxing environment for the family, Adam’s style is beautiful but functional. He now has five years’ experience in garden design and horticulture and believes that gardens should support everyday life – whether that’s exercising outdoors, hosting friends, or providing space for children to enjoy.
What are the advantages of designing a garden at the Festival?
Adam says, “Gardening is a form of art with the plants being the media. Designing a Blooming Border allows ideas about colour, perception and planting to be shared with a large public audience, in the ultimate expression of creativity.”
