A Taste of the Exotic
From an article by Tim Sykes written in the So Magazine, April 2023
Tim Sykes of Gardenproud reveals the story behind the incredible Moroccan garden he and his son George have created for Corker’s new collection of show gardens……
Who wouldn’t be inspired by the warm hues and dappled sun of Marrakech? You’ve only got to spend a long weekend in one of the country’s delightful riads to experience their magical appeal…..
And that’s exactly where the initial inspiration came for the new show garden my son George has created for Corker Outdoor Living as part of its new collection.
“It all started when I saw some pictures my dad took of a wonderful trip to the Medina in 2019,” explains George.
“Dads photos were amazing and captured the essence of both the light, the mottled shades of the building plasterwork and the vibrance of the tropical plants that defied all odds in the unrelenting heat.”
Well this wasn’t the only factor. A very significant influence was the time George, the young designer of this latest Gardenproud masterpiece had spent in Sydney, Australia.
The town gardens of Sydney are compact and have to work really hard to capture clients imagination, combining form, features and planting to create oasis’s Australians can retreat to and cherish throughout the long hot summers.
So this was the starting point for his concept, tempered by the challenge of creating a garden in just 4.8m x 5m!
No pressure!
The brief was to stimulate our imagination and demonstrate Gardenproud’s skill at building gardens, plus outdoor buildings and our ability to research and deliver themes that transcend geographic boundaries.
George spent nearly 3 years working with one of Sydney’s greatest garden designers, Anthony Wyer, learning and mastering all the skills and attributes that combine to make these visions realities.
He’s now brought this insight home to the UK and together with yours truly we try to inject a lot of energy, passion and creativity into our work.
His new Moroccan showpiece at Corker Outdoor Living in Paddock Wood will open to the public this April when you will be able to sample all the glories of this garden.
A huge help came from the army of supporting industries who have contributed to making the garden possible. A Big thanks goes out to our great friends at Corker Outdoor Living, Provender Nursery, SCEC Electrics, OKA Tunbridge Wells, Rocks Road, The Barefoot Welder and Jordon Punyer. But there are so many more people we need to thank, who have helped us understand how to achieve the finishes and effects you can see in the construction.
Walk past the giant Trachycarpus fortunei,, step over the cool mosaic pool and climb the limestone steps to the Breedon gravel courtyard before finally lounging on the cushioned bench and reflecting on the day in the Marrakech style, balau floored garden building. Just the folly you dreamt of to place in your garden and create that spot we are sure you’ll love to escape to……
Come and visit the garden at Corker, or contact us direct on 07725 173820 and perhaps we can help you create your own little paradise.