With a government backed campaign encouraging Brits to holiday at home, Jo Thompson’s ‘Staycation’ garden (‘A Celebration of Caravanning’), for The Caravan Club, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (2012) will evoke the very best of what a break in Britain means.
A palette of pink and cream planting, Wealden sandstone paths, timber walkways crossed by steel rills running with cooling water for feet and bottles convey the delights of a touring holiday at home.
Jo will unveiled her 10m x 10m large show garden on Main Avenue at a Royal Horticulture Society press conference in London
Kent based designer Jo Thompson used her experiences of caravanning last year with her children to inform her design which pivots around Doris, a characterful steel vintage caravan from Vintage Vacations.
“The idea for the garden came about after seeing the fantastic collection of retro style trailers on the Isle of Wight whilst on holiday last year and seeing people relish in the nostalgia of such a holiday, then thinking about what sort of garden would sit well with these iconic caravans” explains Jo.
“I am hoping that everyone will find some detail in the garden that reminds them of the things they like about holidaying in the UK, like the blowsy roses of early summer and masses of cow parsley which you might see on a walk.”
Jo will be working with David Dodd and The Outdoor Room. With trees sourced from Hillier Nurseries and plants from Roger Platts, David Austin and Iris of Sissinghurst, Thompson has also gathered a well-renowned team around her.