The theme for the Concept Gardens this year was the Seven Deadly Sins. An exciting theme that produced a range of clever and innovative ideas. Although I felt some of the designs were too conceptual and lacked the essence of what most people would deem to be a garden, on the whole I liked the theme and was impressed by the creativity on display.

A fun approach was taken by the 'Wrath' garden designed by Nilufer Danis (Below). A hot and fiery planting design on a volcanic rock face with a steaming central crater. In addition, if you waited for long enough, at certain intervals the 'volcano' would squirt water at a surprised crowd.

I also particularly like the rich, dark palate used in the planting scheme to represent 'Lust' in the concept garden designed by Rachel Parker Soden (Below). The deep blood like purples and reds combined with the fluffy, lacey textures make for an enticing and vibrant display. I particularly like the sprays of Deschampsia and Angelica, almost creating the effect of fireworks exploding against the darkness below.

I like the bold shapes and use of colour in Jack Dunkley's 'The Just Retirement Garden' (Below). The Box cubes, swaths of Salvia and white rendered walls add a strong architectural element. While the inner part of the garden is softened with drifts of Agapanthus, Echinacea and Verbena floating above the foliage.

My favourite garden was in the 'Summer Gardens' Category. The combination of crumbing walls, tumbled stone, a stream and naturalised woodland planting created the image of a 'Forgotten Folly', in the garden designed by 'Horticolous' (Below). In my mind, the garden evokes a sense of past glories and bygone times, lost and forgotten, and how over time all man made things will reclaimed by the indefatigable inevitability of nature.

The picture below focuses on the rich green foliage of the natural waterside planting. The combination of the large Gunnera leaves with the more delicate ferns and Alchemilla, provide a lovely variation of texture and show how, given the wonder of nature, beautiful plants can thrive in even dark, rocky and inhospitable places.