Sarah Price's 2023 Chelsea garden
“While retaining its formal symmetry, subtle adjustments to the layout will add depth and visual interest. The two sides of the garden, mirroring each other with the war memorial in the centre, will feature a combination of long rectangular beds divided by circular ones, adding a dynamic yet structured feel. The planting scheme will bring year-round interest, featuring shrubs such as hebes, mahonias, Nandina domestica, and Euonymus fortunei, alongside perennials like pulmonarias (lungwort), foxgloves, hardy geraniums and astrantias. Ornamental grasses will add movement and texture. Interplanting with a selection of bulbs will take place in late autumn. This thoughtful selection will ensure seasonal variation, ecological benefits, and a refined aesthetic that enhances this historic space”.
One of my favourite areas of sustainable planting in the town has to be the Sanctuary Garden at Sandford Park. Cheltenham Borough Council worked with LINC (Leukaemia and Intensive Chemotherapy Fund), a local charity based at Cheltenham General Hospital, and has created a space which is serenely special. Gorgeous perennial planting is laid out around the central feature known as ‘The Whish Sisters’ Fountain – a gift to the town from local sisters in 1891. Come summer and lime green Alchemilla mollis softly sways alongside Nepeta while pink Astrantia shares its star like quality with all who pass by. Repeat planting is used to great effect and other herbaceous favourites that caught my eye include geraniums and Scabious, all horticulturally highlighted in the superb setting sunlight.
Nearer to town and on the other side of the road, the elaborate cherub adorned Unwin fountain is surrounded by formal paths and borders packed with more perennials. Lavender, Nepeta and Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ are blissful in blue while mixing it up a little are the thistles in deep magenta and Helenium in heart-warming orange.
But, surely one of the most centrally gazed upon green spaces in the town is The Long Gardens outside The Municipal Offices, now the latest subject of a sustainability overhaul. A sign educates passers by of plans afoot, a sign I perused recently after leaving a very enjoyable evening of Gilbert & Sullivan’s ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ at the nearby Everyman Theatre.
Public Realm and Landscape Architect, Marta Cowling, is part of the Green Space & Public Realm Team at Cheltenham Borough Council and at the helm of the Long Gardens project. She says
Sourcing locally is important, reducing the carbon footprint but also of course supporting local business. Wyevale Nurseries have supplied some of the trees and shrubs for these projects and Gloucestershire County Council have also funded a number of plants.
Marta says “Cheltenham’s planting plans are a continuous journey towards a greener, more sustainable town. By carefully selecting plants that thrive in our climate, reducing or changing maintenance needs, and prioritizing biodiversity, we are creating landscapes that benefit both people and nature.
“These efforts would not be possible without the commitment of our Green Space & Public Realm Team, Ubico (who plant most of the beds and provide ongoing care and maintenance), and our volunteers, who work together to deliver the best outcomes for the public, residents, visitors, children and even our pets. Whether it’s maintaining playgrounds, coordinating community engagement, or planning future green spaces, their passion and dedication ensure that Cheltenham remains a beautiful, thriving town for generations to come.
“As the seasons change, residents and visitors can look forward to ever-evolving displays of colour, texture, and movement— proof that well-planned planting can transform urban spaces into living, breathing works of art”.
I can’t wait to see the results!
You can catch Camilla on ITV’s long-running ‘Love Your Weekend’ and ‘Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club’ which sees Series 2 start this month.
Tom Stuart Smith's 2021 Hampton Court Garden
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ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH THE GARDEN GAT E
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