Sheddingdean School small garden
This garden is designed to celebrate the school’s twentieth (china) anniversary this year. Taking inspiration from classic blue and white English china, the designers have based the garden design on Spode’s very early willow pattern. The garden represents an interpretation of this Chinese love story. A heart-shaped outline sits alongside a teardrop in the design to represent love and sadness in the story. A river of blue and white planting consists of cranesbill, violas, salvias, astrantia and lavender. A Chinese-style pergoda stands within the willow fence enclosing the garden next to a bird feeder featuring the story’s lovers immortalised as doves. A graceful willow tree shades a circular seat representing the secret island. Rich burgundy and dark brown acers complete the planting.

After the show, most of the plants will be donated to Sheddingdean Court, the local elderly housing scheme which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The remaining parts from the garden will be planted within the school grounds.

Jenny Wisby became interested in design when she took part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at secondary school and has worked on small scale design in craft and cake decoration. While visiting shows and exhibitions, often at country houses, she became interested in the beautiful garden settings. She then designed her own garden and continued her interest at work, Sheddingdean Community Primary School. The school now has its own gardening club and took part in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2005 winning an RHS Bronze medal.