The show garden Water Gems created for Gardening Scotland in 2010 was sold on the first morning of the show to a family from Aviemore. Their house and amazing gardens nestle in amongst beautiful woodland with views to the Cairngorms all around. So, as soon as the show was finished, the rebar centrepiece of the show garden was escorted up the A9 and craned into the garden.
A year later, and after a good deal of work had been carried out in all parts of the garden, the show garden was fully installed into its new, permanent home.
The owners asked Water Gems to create other features around the garden and so the front door garden was redesigned. Drystone walling and steps using local stone now create a stunning focal point at the entrance to the property. Cottage garden planting, purple beech hedging and uplighting all complete the display.
A copper tub, planted with lilies and water soldiers, forms the centrepiece for a seating area at the side of the house. Nearby, Water Gems completed a jetty with an unusual combination of decking and turf.
A secret, walled garden to the rear of the house now contains a Victorian-style arbour with church pews for seats and a sedum roof overhead. Paths edged with reclaimed granite setts and smooth gravel pathways lead through the garden and parterres contain long lasting displays of shrub and herbaceous planting.
Water Gems worked with garden designer Carolyn Grohmann on this garden.