Melissa Jolly Garden Design

Melissa Jolly Garden Design
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Sunday 3 July 2011

Finished and ready for judging tomorrow

Conceptual Garden for Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2011:

It's been a long 18 days building with lots of ups and downs - weather wise we had everything - rain, wind, blistering heat, more rain and beautiful sun for the last few days. Mid week was a low point when panic set in and I really didn't think I was going to get it finished - I had that sick feeling and didn't sleep for 3 nights. However, my family came up trumps and all piled in from every angle: my Mum came and helped paint on the 2 hottest days of the year and has been all around everywhere finding bits and pieces that I have needed, my Dad came up and laid turf and cleared rubbish, Charlie shifted rubble and soil, my sister painted and encouraged - and most importantly they appreciated and shared in what I was doing which helps spread the load!

My builders, John-William and his dad Bill, worked tirelessly - often on site for 12 hour days, the plasterers didn't leave until they were happy that they had achieved a perfect finish - even working weekends. All in all, I had a great team who helped me get the garden together. I left the site this afternoon with it ready for the discerning team of RHS judges tomorrow morning. Here are some photos of the finished garden. Now I can relax a little I can start the enjoy the show - it's such a stunning place to have been working (although I often forgot that when exhaustion set in) - but it is a privilege to be a part of such an awesome show!
For anyone who doesn't know the background of the garden - it's an outdoor art gallery where planting compositions have been inspired by the following artists: Monet, Hockney, Rousseau, Kandinsky, Mondrian and Hirst...

























9 comments:

  1. At one remove, it will be exciting to hear what the judges think. Would love to see it in life!

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  2. good luck with judging, looks great, looking forward to seeing it in person tomorrow!

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  3. Brilliant! It looks fantastic. Well done. LOVE the Air Plants. You should send a picture to Mr.Hurst

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  4. Looks amazing!! cant wait to see more pics! Well done you... Think it's very original which is difficult to do these days... XX

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  5. Well done on your gold Melissa:)

    Kind regards

    Phil

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  6. GOLD GOLD GOLD !! Well done..
    xxx

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  7. Congratulations Mel, on a unique and innovative design and well done RHS for being brave enough to give it a well deserved GOLD!

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  8. Melissa - I found your post thanks to Elephant's Eye who left a link to here over at mine.

    I loved your garden yesterday - thought provoking because it extends the debate about gardens as art, and with such humour.

    Thank you and congratulations :)

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  9. Talked to you yesterday about the garden - it was my favourite in the whole show. Congratulations on the gold medal - well deserved, if only for making me smile!

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