Emsworth’s horticultural society will be showing off their gardening talents at next month’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.The EHS has been selected to put together a garden in the small garden category of the esteemed show, which takes place from July 8 until July 13.The garden’s design will focus on encouraging children to become more involved in gardening and art.It is the first time garden designer Annette Wood has had a garden at the show. She said: “The primary purpose of the ‘Spot the Art’ garden is to foster children’s interest and enthusiasm not only in the fields of gardening and plants but also art and artists.“Semi-hidden in the garden are details from works of art for example Rousseau’s tiger or Monet’s water lilies which children will be encouraged to search for and spot after referring to interactive art posts along the front boundary of the garden.
“The garden is intended to be fun, exciting and stimulating, as well as visually beautiful.”
On the inspiration of her garden, she said: “Last summer I was walking in our garden when I became aware of our Burmese cat Lucy hiding in a flower bed, stalking me and ready to pounce.
“I was reminded of the tiger in Rousseau’s painting Surprise and thought how much children would enjoy spotting a tiger in the garden – and also how this could be used as a tool for learning.”
The garden contains two small walkways at the end of which there is a sculpture in the style of a particular artist on a plinth.
The garden also has a circular pond as seen in one of the Van Gogh paintings. It has white water lilies, which link to the famous Monet paintings of water lilies. In the centre of the garden will be a courtyard. The garden will feature grasses, sunflower, lilies and other flowers in four different sections.Chichester Observer