Wedgwood’s Show Garden ‘A Classic re-imagined’ designed and created by the multi-award-winning designer Sam Ovens, won a Gold Medal at the inaugural RHS Chatsworth Flower Show in June 2017.The Show Garden is an important part of Wedgwood’s partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) which kicked off at Chelsea Flower Show in May 2017. Sam Ovens, together with local volunteers and Cheshire based Landstruction have started works on the relocation of the garden to the World of Wedgwood in Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent due to be opened on the 24th of July. This initiative is a showcase of Wedgwood’s dedication to nature and garden to improve our surrounding and quality of living.
The volunteers working alongside Sam Ovens in the planting of the garden, covering a larger area than showcased at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, will create a space of reflection and recreation for the local community. Sam Ovens will also give a talk to those involved on “Creating a Show Garden and delivering the Client Brief.” The volunteers will be given an insight into the complexities and challenges a designer faces when creating a garden that must look established and fulfil the judges’ criteria for marking.
Commenting on the garden moving to The World of Wedgwood, Sam Ovens says, “I can't wait to work with the local community, to see their reaction to the garden. I hope they will be surprised as it will be something they wouldn't necessarily expect to see..."
The headline partnership showcased at RHS Chatsworth celebrated the exciting reunion of two iconic British brands that share a creative history and vision. John Wedgwood, founded the RHS in 1804 and was the eldest son of the famous English potter and entrepreneur Josiah Wedgwood, who founded Wedgwood in 1759.
Aspects of the Wedgwood DNA have been intertwined within Sam Oven’s horticultural design. The central feature of the garden is a contemporary take on living space, inspired by Wedgwood’s attitudes to interior living of blurring the ‘outside with the inside’. The water fountains symbolise not only the importance of water for wellbeing but is a nod to the innovation of the canals as a transport system leading to the success of Wedgwood in the founding years. The geo-metric design of the garden paired with traditional masonry illustrates a timeless chic design style that can be achieved by juxtaposing the old with the new in an unexpected way which has been important to Wedgwood over the years.
‘An English Garden but not as one might expect…’
In addition, the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show brought back another historical link with the Chatsworth House and the Devonshire Family, with the introduction of the ‘Wedgwood Burlington Pot’, developed in collaboration with Laura Cavendish, Countess of Burlington and daughter-in-law of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. This new product celebrates the family’s history with Wedgwood, where in 1778 Josiah presented the then Duchess of Devonshire with a set of pots he named the Devonshire Flower Pot. Representing another milestone in Wedgwood’s transformation, the pots are crafted from the iconic Wedgwood Jasperware in a new and innovative way. ‘Wedgwood Burlington Pots’ are made at the Barlaston site in Stoke-on-Trent, home to the World of Wedgwood, Wedgwood’s global brand experience centre and tourist attraction, and thus will complete a cyclical journey.
The RHS Flower Shows have been the perfect context to launch the Wedgwood Tea Conservatory – a place to socialise and relax from the hussle of the everyday life being surrounded by nature and garden. Now with the garden coming to the World of Wedgwood this further enhances the environment also for its exclusive Wedgwood tea room.
Ulrik Garde Due, President of Fiskars Living Group says,
“The RHS shows provide the perfect environment to showcase our evolution”, he continues “we are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded gold for our very first show garden at RHS Chatsworth and we look forward to seeing the garden at The World of Wedgwood, for all to enjoy.”
About Wedgwood:
Wedgwood, an iconic premium British lifestyle brand, was founded in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood, not only an astonishing craftsman and potter but also an exceptional pioneer, philanthropist and marketer. With its rich heritage of over 250 years it has become a true British cultural icon and is a testament to British entrepreneurial spirit and craftsmanship. With product and design development continuing in the UK the brand guarantees English authenticity and values. Founded on the principles of design, quality and innovation Wedgwood makes the highest quality fine bone china dinnerware, tea ware, iconic Jasperware as well as beautifully crafted ornamental pieces. Wedgwood's influence extends into fashion with long standing collaborations with world renowned designers Vera Wang and Jasper Conran. Today the legacy of Josiah remains as Wedgwood continues to make a lasting impact on people’s quality of life making the everyday extraordinary through British culture and style. Wedgwood was acquired by Fiskars Corporation in 2015 and is now part of Fiskars Living. www.wedgwood.co.uk
About Fiskars Group
Fiskars serves consumers and customers around the world with a brand portfolio of globally recognized brands including Fiskars, Gerber, Iittala, Royal Copenhagen, Waterford, and Wedgwood.
Building on our mission to create a family of iconic lifestyle brands, Fiskars’ vision is to create a positive, lasting impact on our quality of life. Please visit www.fiskarsgroup.com for more information.
About Sam Ovens
Growing up on a working farm in Cornwall, Sam has always had a love of nature and the outdoors. Combining this interest with a passion for design led him to study BA garden design at Falmouth University, graduating in 2012. Since graduating Sam has been named Young Designer of the Year by the RHS in 2014 as well as winning two RHS medals at prestigious RHS flower shows including Silver at RHS Hampton Court Palace Show in 2011 and Gold at RHS Tatton Park in 2014.
Sam came to landscape design after initially studying product design for two years, realising it wasn’t right for him and Sam decided to change direction. He wanted to fulfil his passion for creating something that would improve social interaction, sustainability and develop over time, and it was with this thought process he moved into landscape design. As well as show gardens, Sam has been working on a number of notable private projects over the last three years.
27 Sam was one of the Youngest garden designers ever to create a garden on main avenue at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and his garden design ‘The Cloudy Bay Garden’ was awarded the Silver-Gilt medal.