EGT's Unforgettable Gardens: A Tale of Two Gardens
This year, Essex Gardens Trust has been commemorating 25 years since it was founded and is delighted that Matthew Wilson, award-winning garden and landscape designer will be adding to the celebrations by giving the Trust’s ‘Unforgettable Gardens’ Anniversary Talk, “A Tale of Two Gardens”. Matthew has a strong connection with Essex, having worked in the county for several years, most notably as Curator of ‘Hyde Hall’, the fabulous, 360-acre RHS Garden near Chelmsford. Matthew also helped to transform the seriously neglected landscape around Castle Hedingham, a mediaeval Historic House in the north of the county, into a glorious, wedding-perfect setting while working on Channel 4’s TV series, ‘Landscape Man’.
Following on from RHS Hyde Hall, Matthew relocated to Yorkshire, still working for the Royal Horticultural Society, where he became Head of Site and Curator of RHS Harlow Carr. In “A Tale of Two Gardens”, Matthew will relive for us his experience of gardening in these two, very different locations. The contrast between the semi-arid conditions of Essex and the cooler, damper climes of Yorkshire could hardly present a greater challenge for a gardener. Matthew will describe how he adapted to the advantages and disadvantages of each site, creatively using a wide range of design and planting solutions to meet and overcome the challenges. We will learn how this led to iconic garden features such as the award-winning Dry Garden at Hyde Hall and the much-photographed Main Borders and Winter Walk at Harlow Carr.
Time: 14:30 BST
