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Bringing RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show to your garden

By Olga Scott

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RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

Looking forward to re-igniting our passion for gardens during this popular event and finally getting the motivation for that long overdue garden makeover, we decided to turn to the expert for help.

Paula Napper, one of the show’s exhibiting designers, shares with us her journey of becoming a garden designer and gives expert tips on re-vamping your garden in a few easy steps.

What inspired you to become a garden designer?

Paula Napper

"I was bowled over by the possibilities."

Paula: I discovered my passion for plants and design while working in investment banking in the City. After a long and busy day in the office, I would go straight home to my garden to unwind - often by weeding, digging or just watering my plants.

The physical exertion in the garden was in complete contrast to being in the office and allowed my mind to completely relax. It put me in touch with nature and I came to appreciate all the wildlife around me. After completing formal training in horticulture and visits to numerous flower shows, I was bowled over by the possibilities. I knew then that design was the career I wanted to follow.

Tell us about your exhibit at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show…

RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

"We wanted to celebrate the diversity of lavender varieties."

Paula: I will be creating The Lavender Garden, with co-designers Donna King and Sara Warren who I met while studying for my design diploma. The garden is inspired by the romance of a lavender farm based in the South Downs National Park. With this project, we wanted to celebrate the diversity of lavender varieties and the enjoyment given by their beautiful colour and scent. The garden has been designed to tell a story of the farm’s history, having to transition from dairy farming to lavender due to economic pressures, and its present day success selling products made from essential oil.

Our sponsor, Shropshire Lavender, have been giving expert advice on the unique properties of lavender and will bring their beautiful copper still to the show to display the distillation process of lavender oil.

Top tips for a quick garden re-vamp?

  • Think about how you use the garden and add features that will encourage you to use the space, e.g. a pergola or a greenhouse
  • Let more light in by removing large, dense shrubs that are overshadowing the garden
  • Prune hedges to a neat shape
  • Simplify your scheme. Limiting hard landscaping materials to 2 or 3 and restricting plant varieties will result in a more relaxing feel to the garden
  • Create an enclosed patio or seating area with your favourite flowers all around it
  • Upgrade your fences and trellis. Choose a contemporary style to really lift the whole garden
  • Hide eye-sores (either within or outside your boundary) behind trees, structures and climbers
  • Get rid of plants that have got too old and are no longer giving you a display. Some plants will respond to regenerative pruning, but you may need to seek expert help
  • Create a vegetable-growing area by incorporating raised beds in a sunny part of the garden
  • Get rid of old mis-matched pots and replace with contemporary ones that not only add to the overall appeal of the garden but can show off your plants

Top tips for creating a low maintenance garden?

  • Choose and place plants that will not outgrow their space
  • Get rid of grassy slopes which are difficult to mow
  • Give your lawn an edge (e.g. using blocks or kerbstones set at a slightly lower level) to avoid having to trim the edges after mowing
  • Choose materials that are low maintenance and made to last - e.g. paving instead of decking and hardwood instead of softwood
  • Seal paving with a proprietary sealant after it has been cleaned and it will stay looking good for longer
  • Treat any timber bi-annually with a proprietary wood preservative to avoid cracking and shrinking
  • Improve the soil by digging in well-rotted manure or compost
  • Choose plants with the RHS award of garden merit (AGM), they have been tested and proven to be most resistant to pests as well as being good performers
  • Keep pots to a minimum and plant only with drought-resistant plants
  • Consider an irrigation system if you grow vegetables
  • Don’t allow weeds to set seed - if you don’t have to time to pull them out cut the flowers off when they appear!

The RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is on from Tuesday 5 July to Sunday 10 July 2016.

For more information on Paula’s work, visit www.paulanapper.com.

For further garden inspiration and top tips, check out Clever design ideas for urban gardens or Top trends from Chelsea Flower Show 2016.

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