Russian art treasures inspire Hampton Court garden

Inspiration for the gardens at the world’s largest flower show at Hampton Court Palace (July 3 - 8 2012) comes from many sources. One of this year’s spectacular creations takes as its theme the art treasures of the State Russian Museum of St Petersburg. Visitors will enter through a giant picture frame and walk under a chandelier.

The city is known as the Venice of the North, so the garden is partially bordered by a moat, with bridges and islands. Topiary cupolas reflect the St Petersburg skyline, and the unmistakable Russian theme is continued with a set of Russian doll sculptures. The garden is edged with rustic grasses to symbolise the weekend exodus by city inhabitants to their rural retreats or dachas.

The garden is the work of Heather Appleton of the English landscape design company, Twig. She went to St Petersburg last year, and says she was ‘wowed’ by the vibrancy and the variety of the art exhibits, which range from the 10th to the 21st centuries. She's hoping her creation will spur people to go there themselves.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Hampton-Court-Palace-Flower-Show/2012
http://www.twiggroup.co.uk/
http://www.rusmuseum.ru/eng/home/