2019 - RHS Chatsworth Flower Show - Eutierria

The definition of Eutierria is of being ‘at one with nature’ and this is a garden where we can reconnect with the natural world. Originally coined by Australian sustainability professor Glenn Albrecht in 2010 the word directly translates from the Greek Eu= good, Tierra= earth, ia= belonging to.

As part of a brand new category for RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, the Mindfulness Gardens were intended to concentrate on wellbeing and mental health. Being kinder to ourselves, listening, resting, taking time out of our busy lives and escaping to a calm, peaceful place.

The decking was created from sweet chestnut timber in the Vale of Belvoir and cut by the specialist sawmill to leave a waney edge and some of the bark that is usually removed, the idea was to give that more natural and 'earthy' feel to the space.

Central to the deck was a Corten steel fire bowl which offers a focal point to sit around later into the evening and give that real 'outdoor living' edge to the garden.

As with all show gardens the build up was restricted and the garden was built in just over 2 weeks. The team of three had to work long hours to ensure it was ready for judging, but it was well worth it when we were presented with a sought after RHS Gold medal.

Inspired by the cliffs of the River Trent in Nottinghamshire, the garden incorporated a large rammed earth wall that ran down the side boundary and was created on site using over 6 tons of earth, sand and coloured oxides. This wall was the greatest challenge to the build as it involved so much physical work in such a short space of time so that it would fully dry out before the garden was judged.

Other natural elements inspired by the cliffs included the large rocks and boulders jutteing into the decking and the planting was focussed on a woodland edge-style theme.

The garden was one of the main features within the hour long BBC programme on RHS Chatsworth. As part of the show they filmed Creative Roots designer Neil Sutcliffe as he took the camera crew around the cliffs highlighting his inspiration and intentions for the garden. Later they announced the results and he was interviewed by presenter Adam Frost where they examined the key parts to the space and how they related to the inspiration.