A show garden for Gardeners World Live, June 2006

Theme

The garden is a celebration of city living in a new 21st century city. It reflects the industrial and cultural heritage of Wolverhampton from 19th century through to the present time.

Introduction

The garden has 2 inspirations:

1. The Industrial and cultural heritage of Wolverhampton
2. A celebration of City Status

Wolverhampton has a rich tradition of industry and is home to a diverse immigrant community.

Many of the terraced worker houses built at the turn of the 20th century still house the population of Wolverhampton.

The designers have sought inspiration for the garden from the tradition of horticulture and politics in Wolverhampton 100 years ago.

A leading figure in politics and industry at the time was Alderman Baldwin Bantock (1862-1938) owner of Bantock House and Mayor of the town. He had a great interest in modern design ideas in housing and interior design as well as gardens and landscaping. He was a leading patron of the arts and craft design movement, the results of which have been preserved in Bantock house.

Baldwin also redeveloped his gardens in an eclectic mix of styles and gardens. The sunken Dutch Garden has been restored to its former glory and is reflected in this new show garden.

The sunken Dutch Garden at Bantock House

Bantock House, Wolverhampton

In the intervening 100 years Wolverhampton has welcomed and embraced people from across the world, and they have bought new cultural influences which continue to enrich and enliven the city.

These influences will be used to produce a modern city garden for Wolverhampton. Many of the materials will reflect the industries Wolverhampton is famous for; engineering, metalworking and brick production.