Wonderland

There are many themes going on Lewis Carols most famous work. I don't plan to be too literal with them, as this is a concept, not something to conform to. Still, as inspiration goes, it doesn't get much more colourful, fun or mad than this. I just want to list some of the themes, that could be used.

• Giant and tiny- Alice experiences both, before returning to her normal size.
• The Queen of Hearts,
  
• Chess and croquet.
• Cards, namely 2,5&7 (painting roses)
  
• Tiger Lily, Rose and Daisy (talking of course)
• Tea party
• Games, riddles and nonsense.
• Plays on words eg Flower/flour

The story of Alice is a journey, so there should be a journey and a number of unexpected experiences through this garden.

Moon Gates

In my spare time(!) I am slowly designing my friends garden. It is a really fun project, as the inspiration is Alice in Wonderland. Her garden is already quite overgrown and magical, but there is a lot of untapped space, that could be much improved. One idea that she definitely wants is a Moon Gate. Conceptually it is the 'looking glass' that you walk through into Wonderland. Traditionally Moon Gates are in Chinese gardens, and there is also a history of them in the Carribean. I think the Chinese ones are the most beautiful as they frame what is beyond like a painting. I want to create a 'hide and reveal' effect in the garden.....what you see through the moon gate before you enter, is not actually what you get when you step inside.

I have been looking at precedent images, as I am looking for the most inexpensive way to build one. Obviously the dry stone and rendered walls look fantastic, but they are not a viable option moneywise. I think something in timber could be quite interesting, or maybe even some type of gabion structure. It could even be an unattractive structure that is covered in Ivy.
Other ideas for the garden include a claw foot bath as a water feature/pond, mass planting of perennials, and brightly colored bulbs. Plinths set amongst meadow planting, where she can display architectural salvage objects she collects. I am going to track the design process here, so as to keep track of my ideas.

Chaumont

Yes you are right. This is not Wales! I am yet to have my photos developed, and so will be doing my Wales blog as promised, at a later point.
This years theme at Chaumont was 'Playing in the Garden' I was unable to go, but found a fantastic website that has really good photos of the gardens. It also has photos of many previous festivals. Here is the link select Jerome Galland and then Archives.

It seems there were many successful ideas and concepts. I especially like the bamboo structure and the red and white chessboard (a reference to Alice in Wonderland) Next years festival has the theme 'Mobile. For a World in Motion' If you want to know more or maybe even enter, then there is info on this link

Just looking at the images has inspired me to do some conceptual gardens for fun. I hate to say it but I am missing the sketch design challenges Jamie gave us last year. Is anyone else? I propose looking randomly in the dictionary, choosing a word and designing a garden. It will be just like old times!

Have to add, that I would not swap places with the people starting their final year for all the tea in China!