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The Chelsea Experience
When asked by Raymond Blanc of Le Manoir aux Quat'
Saisons to construct his "Malaysian Garden" stand at the 2005 Chelsea Flower
Show, we gladly took up the challenge!
With only six weeks' notice before the start of the show Kingcombe Aquacare
Ltd managed to design and build an authentic Malaysian hut, source materials and
organise labour. Last minute logistics coupled with very long days and our
skilled workforce resulted in a silver medal award and a show stand to be proud
of for all parties involved.
A design brief from Stephen Hendry of Newington Nurseries was to create a 4m
high waterfall and lagoon on the side of a "mountain". This coupled with
exotic palms, vegetables and other tropical plants would create the
front of the garden. To the rear of the garden would be more tropical
planting, a small paddy field and a trickling rock and water feature.
In less than two weeks the whole show garden was built from green field site
right through to the the final tweeking of the last leaf! Please browse the
following photographs to see how we did it.
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Constructing The
Cascade
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We arrive on site to a
mound of soil. This was reshaped and added to as required
during the construction phase.
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20 tonnes of stone is
delivered. |
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Unloading the liner
and underlay onto which the waterfall is
built.
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Each piece of stone is
lifted into position to create a "dry" stone
waterfall.
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With all stones in
place the lagoon is created and waterproofed with Firestone EPDM
liner.
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Construction Of The Malaysian
Hut
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Mark Wheeler, our
Workshop Manager designed and built this replica Malaysian hut. This
is a trial build at our workshop in Dorset.
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Having already
constructed the hut, any alterations had already been made. This
decreased the amount of time needed for construction on
site.
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Mark explains the next
steps. |
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With the main skeleton
in place, the floor boards and detailing are
added.
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Stephen Hendry of
Newington Nurseries sourced the palm thatch from Holland. Here we
are attatching it to the roof.
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With the remainder of
the thatch and the cladding on, the hut is
complete.
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Planting
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Some final adjustments
are made to the aquatic plants. |
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The completed
waterfall provides an inspirational backdrop on which to
plant.
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The amazing plants
supplied by Newington Nurseries and Le Manoir aux Quat'
Saisons bring the whole garden
together.
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Here is a view of the
completed garden from the front aspect.
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Nestled in amongst the
plants is our trickle feature. This was designed to make just enough
noise to catch peoples attention as they strolled around the
garden.
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A stunning display of
orchids, once again provided by Newington
Nurseries.
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During The Show
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A lucky few were
entertained by Raymond Blanc and given the opportunity to taste
champagne and canapes!
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For a short while, the
Chelsea coverage was broadcast from our Malysian
hut.
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After visiting the
garden, Princess Anne continues her tour of the
show.
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Raymond Blanc
entertains two well known television gardeners inside the
hut.
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Alan Titchmarsh liked
our
waterfall!
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After two weeks of construction and five days of
exhibiting, the Chelsea Flower Show closed its doors for another year. The garden was
dismantled and many of the materials saved for later re-use. The Malaysian Hut has been
taken to Newington Nurseries in Oxfordshire where it will feature inside their
tropical glasshouse. To have played such a major role in achieving a silver
medal at Chelsea is a great honour for us. As they say "There is always room for
improvement" I wonder about next year... |
