Garden Tour: A Garden to Celebrate Yorkshire’s Heritage and Landscape
Inspired by York Minster and bursting with plants that thrive in the fertile county, this garden brings Yorkshire to the Chelsea Flower Show
God’s Own County: A Garden for Yorkshire was designed by Matthew Wilson for the Chelsea Flower Show 2016 and sponsored by Welcome to Yorkshire. The largest show garden at Chelsea this year, this silver medal-winning design showcases the county’s wealth of stunning scenery, iconic heritage and skilled tradespeople.
The key inspiration is the Great East Window at York Minster, the largest single expanse of medieval stained glass in Britain, currently nearing the end of a decade of restoration. The garden features a 5m x 3m panel of stained glass made using the same methods employed in 1405 by skilled glaziers.
Materials and craftspeople local to Yorkshire were employed on the design and, despite this garden’s ancient inspiration, state-of-the-art technology was used to construct the dramatic building that takes pride of place.
The key inspiration is the Great East Window at York Minster, the largest single expanse of medieval stained glass in Britain, currently nearing the end of a decade of restoration. The garden features a 5m x 3m panel of stained glass made using the same methods employed in 1405 by skilled glaziers.
Materials and craftspeople local to Yorkshire were employed on the design and, despite this garden’s ancient inspiration, state-of-the-art technology was used to construct the dramatic building that takes pride of place.
A key feature of this garden is what Wilson describes as a garden retreat or refuge. It’s shaped to resemble the Great East Window of York Minster resting on its side. “It’s made from larch and birch,” says Wilson.
A combination of ancient, traditional skills and state-of-the-art technology was used throughout this garden, and the refuge is a fine example of them coming together. “The main supporting beams are made from glue laminated larch,” Wilson explains, “and the exterior and interior panels have been carved using CNC [computer numerical control] routing.”
A combination of ancient, traditional skills and state-of-the-art technology was used throughout this garden, and the refuge is a fine example of them coming together. “The main supporting beams are made from glue laminated larch,” Wilson explains, “and the exterior and interior panels have been carved using CNC [computer numerical control] routing.”
Wilson worked with craftspeople from Yorkshire on the garden. The glazed panels were created by York Glaziers Trust, and the stone pinnacles were erected by York Minster masons. “The garden building was created by timber specialists in Barnsley,” Wilson says, “and the bench in the garden refuge was made by Robert ‘Mousey’ Thompson.”
Stone pathways, steps and terracing divide the garden space. “The paving is Moselden Yorkstone from North Yorkshire, the same stone as you can see outside York Minster,” Wilson says.
The flowers have been chosen because their colours match those found in the window. These are all plants that do well in Yorkshire, too, which benefits from rich soils and long summer days.
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The upper level of the garden is planted with a woodland scheme, which includes shade-tolerant plants such as Alchemilla mollis, euphorbias (including ‘John Phillips’ and ‘Purpurea’), hostas, Dicentra ‘Langtrees’, and ferns, including Dryopteris erythrosora and Matteuccia struthiopteris.
The turrets and walls of the garden refuge have been created using cast stone made in Garforth near Leeds. “It has a similar appearance and texture to the stone used in building the Minster,” says Wilson.
A shallow pool directly in front of the stained-glass window reflects its beautiful colours.
A shallow pool directly in front of the stained-glass window reflects its beautiful colours.
In addition to the reflecting pool, a small stream runs through the garden. “The water serves two purposes,” says Wilson. “It reflects the stained glass and adds movement to the garden.”
The abundant planting grows in and around the stone path, which is designed as a series of stepping stones that run through the bed.
The planting in the Stained Glass Bed ranges in height to create layers of colour and interest. Purple salvia ‘Caradonna’ and ‘Purple Rain’ and Stipa grasses sway over the top of the beds. Irises ‘Mer du Sud’, ‘Deep Black’ and ‘Sultan’s Palace’ also add height and exquisite detail.
There’s a riot of colour in the perennial beds. Irises, grasses, roses and many other plants bring the colours of the stained-glass window to life.
A selection of feature shrubs pepper the space, including this white Viburnum plicatum ‘Mariesii’.
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Show RHS Chesea Flower Show 2016
Garden designer Matthew Wilson
Built by Aire Valley Landscaping Services
Sponsored by Welcome to Yorkshire
Prize awarded Silver Medal. It also won the BBC People’s Choice Award
Designer Matthew Wilson describes this as his “medieval contemporary” garden, inspired by the fabulous stained glass in York Minster and celebrating the fertile Yorkshire land. The planting on the upper level represents the woodland gardens in the county, and features oak and hawthorn, while the central, perennial planting is inspired by the Minster’s ancient stained glass.