Transformation
Site RHW7
www.stoke.gov.uk
The inspiration for the garden is the story of Stoke-on-Trent’s journey from its rich industrial
past to its present transformation into a modern contemporary city. A skeleton of a bottle kiln dominates the rear of the garden, representing the city’s pottery heritage. In contrast, a sunken seating area occupies a prominent position at the front of the garden to promote the contemporary living spaces being created in the city. The use of water, the choice of surfaces and the planting are used to tell a story of change through contrasts of order and disorder-a metaphorfor the transforming, contemporary city. The colour palette for the planting is dominated by apricots, soft oranges, coppers and bronze, with contrasting shades of burgundy, deep purple, lime green and cream. Plants used will include a selection of English shrub roses, such as Rosa ‘Lady of Shallot’, R. ‘Kew Gardens’ and R.’Mustead Wood’. Bronze foliage plants such as Carex, Athryium, Astilbe and Heuchera provide a tapestry of colour with accents of deep red from Astrantia and Iris varieties, and lime green from Euphorbia . The garden will also reflect the connection between Stoke -on-Trent and Lidice, a village in the Czech Republic which was nearly obliterated by Adolf Hitler. Thanks to a 'Lidice Shall Live' campaign launched in Stoke-on-Trent, money was raised to rebuild the village and create a memorial Rose garden. Roses will be included in the Chelsea garden to celebrate these links.