Chelsea Flower Show winner inspired by Maltese quarry

A garden inspired by an abandoned Maltese limestone quarry won the gold for best show garden at this year’s Chelsea Fower Show.

Discussing his design beforehand, gardener James Basson stressed its ecological message.

After a research trip to the Gozo quarry in summer 2015, Basson told the Daily Telegraph that it was “not supposed to be pretty. It is stark and monumentally brutal.”

The construction, which includes slabs of limestone and evergreens, perennials and ground cover, was designed to show the interaction between humans and nature on the island, Basson said, and draws attention to the balance that needs to be maintained.

His design was divided into zones, each with its own ecology. It included shrubland, the landscape of the hills of the Mediterranean coastline and clifftop scenes, echoing the variety seen in Malta.

“I am fanatical about quarries. The cleanliness and purity of them can be like a contemporary building. I love the graphic patterns of the blocks, the scouring marks, and the way nature regenerates after man has left. A client told me about this one, and when I had the chance of coming to Malta for a design job, I came to see it and was blown away” he said.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have won best in show for the first time,” Basson said on Tuesday. “It is an incredible feeling and a testimony to the hard work of the whole team.”

The garden also received the best construction award – the second such award in two years for Crocus.

“The garden is faultless and outstanding in terms of both construction and attention to detail,” judging panel chair James Alexander-Sinclair said after the decision was announced.

“The message behind the designer’s creation is that humans need to take action to preserve the fragile environment of our planet. Sustainable water disposal, recycling and composting: all are vital if Malta is to save its distinct and delicate landscapes,” said the Royal Horticultural Society, which runs the annual flower show in London.

The Chelsea Flower Show is a yearly five-day event held in London. Held since 1912, it is one of the world's most prestigious garden events, attracting visitors from all corners of the globe.