David Domoney is to design an artisan show garden for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) at next year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, celebrating the commission’s centenary.
CWGC director of horticulture David Richardson said: “With a global gardening workforce of more than 850 men and women and a maintenance commitment of more than 710 hectares, we’re proud to be one of the world’s largest horticultural organisations.
“Our horticulture has always been an essential part of our commemoration of the war dead – ensuring the cemeteries and memorials are places of beauty and quiet remembrance for the hundreds of thousands who visit them each year.
“We’re delighted to have the chance to work with David Domoney and showcase our work at Chelsea.”
The garden will be an intimate space with echoes of the great architecture and craftsmanship found in the CWGC cemeteries and memorials worldwide.
Commission artisans will be working on many of the built elements in the garden, which will incorporate materials used at many CWGC sites, including Portland stone and bricks hand-made in Belgium.
The planting will use species from sites in the CWGC global estate to create a calm, contemplative and reflective space for visitors to enjoy.
The garden is accessed through an imposing circular arch. Portland stone steps lead to a raised platform affording a view over the garden. To the front are multi-stemmed trees, the canopy of which provide an area for quiet contemplation. Globe-headed flowers nestled in the floral landscape of silver, mauve and blue hues remind us of fallen soldiers. Inside the garden, visitors can see their reflection along the garden walls.