"Single Track Mind"
Silver Gilt at the RHS Malvern Spring Gardening Show 2013
Concept
Inspired by the GB cycling teams’ performance at the Tour de France and the Olympics in 2012, this garden was designed to illustrate the mental challenges faced by a road-racing cyclist.
Like any sports person the physical training is only half the battle and long distance cyclists in particular needing to ‘dig deep’ for multi stage races like the Tour de France. The modern tour typically has 21 daily stages and is around 3,500 km distance.
The garden which won a Silver Gilt at the RHS Malvern Spring Gardening Show 2013, perfectly illustrates the creative thinking that Teresa brings to every project to combine both interest and visual appeal.
The Three Zones
IThe garden comprises three different sized circles. These are linked by a ‘road’ representing the single mindedness with which the cyclist races.
In circle one the planting is mainly green and white, alluding to the cyclists clear mind and fresh physical condition when commencing an event.
Circle two takes the rider through the increasing demands made on them as the race progresses. The change in planting and hard features illustrates the increase in mental focus needed, as the race becomes more physically challenging.
The third, and smallest circle represents the elation felt as the cyclist crosses the finish line. The vibrant planting is suggestive of celebration and the ‘carnival atmosphere’ awaiting them.
The space around which the circles are arranged, alludes to the eventual calm and return to ‘normal’ life – somewhere to relax, take stock and prepare for the next challenge.
Planting
The garden was only made possible because of the dedicated volunteers and the generosity of local businesses including the Dingle Nursery and Gardens, Triafon Nursery, County Building Supplies Ltd and Styles Contractors Ltd.