The Holker garden, sponsored by Burlington Stone and designed by Damson Design, won a Gold award at the Holker Garden Festival 2011. Light and dark stone contrast in a peaceful, relaxing setting.
The title “reflections” in this case has a double meaning, as there are contrasting light and dark materials used to create a reflection of each other as well as being a tranquil garden where you can sit and reflect.
Enter the garden on the path of tumbled slate cobbles, surrounded by soft beautiful planting of mixed perennials and grasses in shades of blues, purples, greens and whites to compliment the slate and limestone terraces.
Planting starts with quite bold colours, reflected in the dark peony and follow through to cooler blues, picked out by iris, lavender and other mixed perennials.
The plants are spot planted, creating meadow like drifts of colour intermingled with grasses.
The first terrace is made from limestone ( a natural feature in South Lakeland), Seats on the inner curve are made from discs of different shades of slate, giving a contemporary feel and making an ideal place for a relaxing drink.
As the path winds through the planting, you encounter another terrace, this time made from slate with a contrasting curved seat of limestone.
This tranquil spot is shaded by an arc of beautiful trees and is a quiet space to reflect and relax.
Plant List (To follow soon)
Damson Design
RHS award winning local landscape and garden designer Nicola Hills of Damson Design, won Large Gold with her 2010 Holker garden and as a result was invited to design for the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show this year.
Nicola’s designs have been realised both locally and nationally with experience of designing within the public realm as well as formal and informal gardens for commercial and private clients.
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More Information
Damson Design – Connecting personal space with the surrounding landscape.
Burlington Stone – A prestigious manufacturer of natural stone which has been quarried for over 400 years from the heart of the English Lake District.
Holker Garden Festival – An overview