Hi everyone
I am currently a Landscape Architecture student at Writtle College. Last year, at the end of my first year, I undertook my first show garden at Sandringham Flower Show. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I came away with a Silver. I went into the whole thing with very little knowledge about what it involved and most of the process was trial and error, although turning out successfully in the end I was very new to the whole design and garden proffesion, let alone show gardens!
But based on the enjoyment of last year and how well it went, I applied again for this year and this morning received a letter confirming my place....
This year I'm really hoping to be a bit more ambitious and professional about it, but would welcome any advice at all on suppliers, materials etc...and most importantly sponsorship! Last year was self funded by my family, but this year I really need to get some backing..
Thank you in advance, and good luck to anyone else starting preparations for show gardens or students working away.
BFPD x
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Replies
Yep, still at Writtle College currently, so in Chelmsford half the year, and back home in Norfolk the other half.
Ian Howes said:
Emilie Smith said:
Gaynor Witchard said:
Ian Howes said:
Sponsorship is the hardest thing to get, especially when starting out on show gardens and during a down turn in the economy.
Have you spoke to Writtle about sponsoring it. Lots of colleges enter at Hampton Court but it may mean sharing the garden with other budding designers from the college.
Regards to materials, if you don't have sponsorship you need to start begging and borrowing. It takes a lot of time and effort but it can be done. We've found nurseries don't like to loan plants as they don't know how they will be returned but a lot of money can be saved by growing your own (at the college?). You'll need to grow at least twice as many as you need, to pick out the best ones.
Let me know if there is anything in particular you need to source and I might be able to help.
Simon @ The Perfumed Garden
As regards Nurseries supplying plants, most returned are normally in no fit state for re-sale that year, and have to sit around until the following year to recover.
For most Wholesale Nurseries, sponsoring a Show Garden is a no-brainer, since they can only sell to the Trade and most Shows a directed at the public, there is little or no gain publicity wise. The only way a Wholesale Nursery can gain anything from a Show Garden is to be "around" in the build up so that they can chat to other exhibitors and sell them some plants.
Saying that, we have supported our own customers in the past doing Show Gardens, and the basis that if they do well, we do.
Get a tie in with your local Nursery, is the best advice.
The Perfumed Garden said:
Hi Emelie,
I'm a designer/landscaper based in Chelmsford, if you need a list of suppliers for materials and plants let me know and I can point you in the right direction.
Do you have labour etc. to build the show garden all sorted?
Andy @ westacottgardens
Hi Simon
Thanks for your reply.
Unfortunately the college are not keen to offer support, and as designs etc have been entered and accepted, it would be tricky to have other students on board now.
Thank you for the advice though!
The Perfumed Garden said:
Thanks for your message, some hints towards good companies etc would be great! Obviously I will be building the garden back in Norfolk, but as I am living down here it's easier to source materials etc here!
Nothing in regards to labour is arranged yet, it's only a small plot, 4x5m, so limited on the numbers you can have working at the same time. But as this year I am hoping to have a substantial amount of hard landscaping I am going to have to sort some additional labour as I'm not sure my construction skills would be up to show garden level!
Emilie
Andy Westacott said:
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