Brewin Dolphin 2012

Curiously, but maybe predictably given the more formal/traditional layout, this was the only show garden I’ve made that has led to any commissions.

The garden celebrated the 250th anniversary of the sponsor, Brewin Dolphin and the continuing popularity of topiary in gardens of all sizes since the resurgence of this art in the 19th Century.

Topiary gardens were scarce in the UK when Brewin Dolphin were founded, in 1762. Most of them had been uprooted by Charles Bridgman, William Kent, Capability Brown to make way for their pastoral vision for large estates throughout the UK. I thought it would be fun to reimagine the topiary angle albeit with a contemporary twist.

Reclaimed stone block piers and walling accentuates a feeling of history and permanence while imbuing a sense of the ‘natural’ and ‘organic’. A gate set back from the front of the garden heightens a sense of ‘arrival’ while being an invitation to explore what lies beyond.

An abstract stone-cum-water feature at the back of the garden, framed by pollarded limes, draws you to a cobbled courtyard; a contemplative, minimalist space exploring the dynamic of using contemporary elements within a more traditional context.

The garden revels in the play between the controlled structure, beech hedging/yew topiary forms with looser layers of herbaceous planting. The yew forms could be seen as symbolic of the sponsor’s history, pedigree, reliability, stability, optimism and creativity. Juxtaposing these with the textural qualities of herbaceous plants create a visual tension while providing a hint of mystery and revelry.

Jane Owen’s article about the dubious activities of Sir Francis Dashwood can be found HERE