From Storms to Fire: A Statement Border

Natural disasters seem to be becoming more extreme, fuelled by erratic weather patterns driven by climate change. The Wentworth Garden Show brief challenges designers to “make a statement”. Ensuring bold, striking, and impactful design, using a diverse range of plants suited for a border.

The initial idea centred around storms and their aftermath, exploring the destruction and renewal that follows. However, as devastating wildfires in California and beyond have intensified in recent years, the narrative naturally evolved into a study of fire, its destructive power, its beauty, and its aftermath.

I hope this design captures the drama and movement of flames, using tall, fiery red and orange flowers to symbolise intensity, contrasted against the charred, dark foliage of Ophiopogon and Black Phormium to depict devastation. To represent the lingering effects of smoke, introducing wispy grasses like Stipa and white plants like Senecio candidans Angel Wings, representing both smoke and the possibility of renewal.

Originally, the fiery element was concentrated on one side of the border, but an additional “wisp” of flames was introduced on the opposite corner for greater balance and movement. This should create a visual rhythm across the border, allowing the eye to follow the energy of the fire as it dances through the planting.

Selecting the right plants has been a careful process, balancing not just colour but also texture, shape, and form. A single rounded leaf might clash with the sharp, spiky foliage of its neighbour, disrupting the flow. Understanding these contrasts has been a challenge, and a collage or 3D model may help refine these relationships before a final decision is made.

Another key consideration was plant selection for real-world application. By using native and widely available plants, the border remains transferable, encouraging visitors to recreate elements in their own gardens. While the plant plan is mostly complete, minor refinements, such as replacing Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ with Gladiolus for a better structural fit, are still ongoing.

The initial design concept drew on the history of Wentworth, specifically the story of two enslaved boys who became famous French horn players. While compelling, this theme carried potential sensitivities. After careful thought, I pivoted towards fire as a universal and contemporary issue, linking the increasing prevalence of wildfires and their impact on both landscapes and communities.

Designing this border has been an exploration of form, contrast, and symbolism. Beyond colour, understanding how plant structures interact. How sharp lines, soft textures, and ground-hugging elements coexist, has been an ongoing learning process. The next step may involve creating a physical or digital collage to test how these elements translate into a cohesive and evocative planting scheme.

I feel as climate change continues to shape our world, gardens, whether in exhibitions or private spaces, can serve as a reflection of these realities, sparking conversations about both beauty and loss.