Birmingham Borders
Horticultural students from the college’s Cedars Centre came away with first, second and third place after entering the Birmingham Borders competition at the annual event, which took place at the NEC June 2009.
First prize went to Linda Lumm for her design entitled Recession, which was inspired by the credit crunch. Her border portrayed an abandoned building site, with a half built garden wall surrounded by scattered bricks.
Paula Taylor-Kistner was awarded second place for Blanc Canvas, a garden that used a range of perfumed white flowers to create a delicate and soothing escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
And third place went to Keith Slater for Butterfly Garden, a garden reminiscent of a Spring meadow that aimed to help local wildlife thrive in their natural habitat.
Blanc Canvas - 2nd place winner
By Paula Taylor-Kistner
Level 3 BTEC National Certificate in Horticulture
Blanc Canvas is a celebration of a single colour, illustrating how sometimes the simplest things are the best.
Using a range of perfumed white flowers, planted to create gently undulating waves this garden creates a delicate and soothing escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Butterfly Garden - 3rd place winner
Keith Slater
Level 3 BTEC National Certificate in Horticulture
Butterfly Garden brings a little piece of the British countryside to Birmingham.
The garden, reminiscent of a spring meadow, is edged with natural hedging, and contains a wealth of wildflowers and buddleia to attract butterflies.
A rustic bench nestled in the corner completes the relaxing, rural scene.
With Thanks to:
Telford and Wrekin Council
Telford and Wrekin Services
Larry Jones
Linda Laxton
Dingles Nursery
Theresa Rham
Cottage Calm
By Scott Morton
Level 3 BTEC National Certificate in Horticulture
Cottage Calm portrays a simple English cottage garden with a profusion of romantic, old fashioned blooms such as foxgloves and delphiniums.
A gently winding path invites you into this romantic retreat, while a garden bench provides the perfect opportunity to sit and take in the relaxing surroundings.
With Thanks to:
Seasons Change Garden Centre
Jewsons, Wednesbury
Rain Garden
By Colin Power
RHS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture
Rain Garden is a sustainable garden highlighting the way in which excessive rainwater can be managed to maintain the natural environment.
Rain water runs off from the house guttering into a shallow depression, where a mix of perennials, grasses and sedges happily thrive without the need for additional watering, filtering rainwater back into the soil and avoiding flooding.
Chain sculptures allude to the traditional rain chains of Japan.
Island Retreat
Jason Smith
RHS Level 2 National Certificate in Horticulture
Island Retreat brings a touch of the tropical to this year’s BBC Gardeners World Live show.
The beach-themed garden uses the vivid blues of Festuca Glauca to create the gentle ripples of the sea. Driftwood, palm trees and Cordyline give the garden an exotic feel while also alluding to the more serious issue of climate change.
With Thanks to:
TCH Van Hire
Barnett Hill Garden Centre
Wyevale
Webbs of Wychbold
Akamba Nurseries
A Day at the Seaside
Chris Brookes, Jan Claridge, Dami Crossley
Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture, Decorative and Garden Design
Chris, Jan and Dami have brought the beach to Birmingham with their fun, seaside inspired design.
The gently lapping sea is recreated with a wave of blue flowers, while a scattering of yellow blooms represents the sand.
A palm tree, rock pool and even two seagulls complete the design.
With Thanks to:
Sandiacre Nurseries
Himley Nr Wombourne
Spaghetti Junction
Sue Wilkinson
Level 3 BTEC National Certificate in Horticulture
Spaghetti Junction is a celebration of one of Birmingham’s most famous landmarks.
The garden, an aerial view of the junction, is made from sections of wire planted with lobelia, colour coded to represent the various roads and raised up on plastic drainpipes.
Beneath the structure, waves of plants and grasses in burgundies and greens, create the backdrop.
With Thanks to:
HL Smith Transmissions
Summer Time
Rosamund Reynolds
RHS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture
Summer Time is a tranquil retreat where the informal style of prairie planting creates a meadow-like feel.
This relaxing garden invites you in to escape the stresses and strains of everyday life, enveloped by naturally flowering plants in blues, purples, yellows and oranges.
With Thanks to:
Recreations