See you in Hampton Court!
Meet designer Kari Beardsell - and win tickets to the Flower Show
Every summer, the parks of Hampton Court break out in a blaze of colour - as the Royal Horticultural Society stages its annual Flower Show. Benecol® is playing a special part in this year's show, because we've teamed up with the Rainbow Trust Children's Charity to sponsor one of the gardens.
To whet your appetite, we've caught up with Kari Beardsell, the innovative designer who'll be putting our Benecol® Prism Garden together. She gave us a sneak preview of her plans for Hampton Court - as well as offering a few tips for anyone looking to give their own garden a makeover.
Like its sister event in Chelsea, the Hampton Court Flower Show is a highlight of the botanic calendar. This year's event (taking place from 8th - 13th July) is already in the diaries of all the country's most passionate gardeners. For Kari, designing for the Flower Show is an opportunity to inspire. "The Benecol® Prism Garden is based on how the white light splits to create a rainbow," she says. "Through this I hope to inspire people to introduce more colour in their own garden."
"It was important for me to make something people could identify with, using easily obtainable and sustainable sources. The garden will be wheelchair accessible and be suitable for the partially sighted, but it'll be a garden you would build even if you don't need these facilities."
A spokesperson for the Rainbow Trust told us they were delighted with the results. "Benecol's contribution has enabled Kari to create a very special garden, and we're proud to be associated with it. We also hope to raise vital funds at Hampton Court so we can support more families across England who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness." If you'd like to find out more about the Rainbow Trust and its work, click here
What goes into designing a garden?
Kari says that the process of designing a garden involves extensive thought - she takes into consideration everything from the texture of the soil to the to the garden's own micro-climate. Sometimes she's asked to incorporate unusual features into her plans. "All gardens are curious, as we try to make something unique and perfect for each particular site", she says. "One unusual commission was a four acre garden, where the owners wanted a large natural underground stream to become exposed. Another was a half acre garden, which consisted mostly of a 5 meter tall mound of earth, which the owners wanted me to make into a large formal water feature."
If you're looking to introduce a real designer sensibility into your own garden, Kari has some useful words of advice. She suggests that you decide on a "favourite place" in the garden - a small area that you can enjoy spending time in. "This will make you feel inspired to take a stroll in the garden more often and take notice of how the garden develops through the year."
When it comes to plants and flowers, Kari recommends starting small. "Start with a few plants, treasure those - and expand if you feel you have time for more," she says. "If you want to introduce a few new plants, take advice from the garden centre, or consult a garden designer if you want to make larger changes. Careful planning makes you enjoy the garden more."
Win tickets to the Hampton Court Flower Show
Sorry! This competition has already ended.
Keep an eye out for future Healthy Rewards. If you don't already receive our Healthy Times e-newsletter, why not click here to subscribe.
