Laboratorio S. Rocco – Garden of Solitude
Lifestyle Gardens
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In more detail
- Irregular woolly cushions of Muehlenbeckia echo the free-form planting below
- A solid plain background shows off the delicate forms of meadow flowers in pretty silhouettes
About the garden
In a flower meadow, shaded by the leafy foliage of two trees, 18 pots in the shape of Ionic columns, each with differing heights, are arranged at irregular intervals around a circle 6 metres in diameter. Lush plants cascade from the pots.
Look closer and two planting schemes characterise this small garden: A wildflower meadow incorporates groups of shrubs, herbaceous and grassy plants and is sheltered by two trees, all planted in random fashion. Together they present a naturalistic setting. In marked contrast are the single-species potted plants that follow, at irregular intervals, the precise geometry of the circle.
Inside the circle is a chaise longue while in the background is a sky-blue wall. This intimate and protected inner circle represents solitude intended in a restful space – an ideal condition for the development of thought and imagination.
All Show Gardens
![Extinction](/getmedia/4031f7f4-0389-47b2-9b19-79d876ba1385/RHSHampton21_July4__Z722250.jpg?width=1088&height=612&ext=.jpg)
![RHS Iconic Horticultural Hero Garden – Tom Stuart-Smith](/getmedia/6ad21ecf-97e3-488f-9f13-e79ce543ab49/RHSHampton21_July4__V0P0339.jpg?width=1088&height=612&ext=.jpg)
Feature Garden
RHS Iconic Horticultural Hero Garden – Tom Stuart-Smith
RHS Iconic Horticultural Hero Garden – Tom Stuart-Smith![RHS Garden For A Green Future](/getmedia/da433a05-a2dc-4f4c-be9e-e540e9227bd0/RHSHampton21_July4__TIM3488.jpg?width=1088&height=612&ext=.jpg)
![Extinction](/getmedia/4031f7f4-0389-47b2-9b19-79d876ba1385/RHSHampton21_July4__Z722250.jpg?width=1088&height=612&ext=.jpg)
![RHS Iconic Horticultural Hero Garden – Tom Stuart-Smith](/getmedia/6ad21ecf-97e3-488f-9f13-e79ce543ab49/RHSHampton21_July4__V0P0339.jpg?width=1088&height=612&ext=.jpg)
Feature Garden
RHS Iconic Horticultural Hero Garden – Tom Stuart-Smith
RHS Iconic Horticultural Hero Garden – Tom Stuart-Smith![RHS Garden For A Green Future](/getmedia/da433a05-a2dc-4f4c-be9e-e540e9227bd0/RHSHampton21_July4__TIM3488.jpg?width=1088&height=612&ext=.jpg)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.