Spalline imbottite o natural style?

by Anna Piussi

There’s a strange undertone of the ‘80s in this years’s CFS. Economic crisis means less exhibitors, smaller gardens, and less pharaonic gardens than in past years. There’s also a revival of ‘80s fashion, worrying for anyone who has lived through it. Big moussed hair, massive shoulder pads, ostentation and glitz, translated in gardens as too many formal elements, from hedges to topiary, and large colourful flowers. Diarmuid Gavin’s was declaredly an enormous green carillon, a phantasy, one of his jokes, but too many others rehashed the standard London garden with formal elements and rigid flower-filled border, with lupins galore. I found much more inspiration in the opposite ‘trend’ of Natural style. Andy Sturgeon deserved the Best in Show prize for his garden, inspired by earth’s geological formation, with bold open spaces at the center, offsetting a choice arrangement of mainly drought tolerant plants from all over the world. As ever, it’s the time between the notes that makes it music, and Chris spaces the plants in restful groups mulched with gravel, playing with the range of shape and colours allowed by these sustainable choices. Similarly, Jo Thompson steers away from brash flowers and shoulder pads, with a rigorously designed garden centred around a perfect lawn, in which all landscaping elements flow seamlessly. Plants are appreciated for their silhouette, play with light and shade, and their cast shadow is a a strong brushstroke against the simple background.