Creating my first Show Garden

Olivia’s instagram: oliviarosegardens
In this video we discuss the plans and work involved in creating a show garden at the RHS Tatton Flower Show. We chat to Olivia who explains the process of designing the first show garden of her career and she explains what is involved and what influenced her garden. We go and collect the plants from the nursery and lay out some of the key features to see how it works together with the plants and also check we have enough plants to cover the space. Join us on the ups and downs of this new experience!

[@amyjones2490]

How fun. Can’t wait to see it at Tatton.

[@franrichardson4433]

Thank you for taking us along this journey - fascinating. Good luck Olivia. 🇦🇺

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you so much

[@sianscountrylife4925]

What an exciting process ...really fascinating to see exactly what's involved- and hear about the challenges too ! ❤

[@rachelbarth1271]

Very exciting to hear what Olivia is planning! I wish I could see her exhibit, but I'm sure you will show us ❤. How wonderful that you share the love of gardening.

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you so much, don’t worry you will be with us every step of the way and won’t miss a thing!

[@NitaP1569]

Excellent video. I really enjoyed. Your daughter is talented and was fun watching you and your family work together on a shared passion. As a parent it is so fun to watch your children grow into adults and see their visions and talents come to life. Best of luck to your daughter for the show.

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you for your lovely comments. I completely agree, of all the things I’ve grown, I’m most proud of my two strong, resilient and independent thinking children. From little seedlings 🌱 to robust adults 🤣💕

[@Tibetan2]

What a lovely episode! And so fascinating to learn more about the meticulous preparations for a show garden. You two must be so proud of your talented daughter! 👏✨

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you, we are immensely proud of her!

[@VancouverIslandgirl]

Fascinating to see how this all comes together ! Good luck Olivia 💐

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you so much

[@jaqmackie]

Very interesting to see how it’s done 💚

[@patriciahogg5763]

Cool to know the behind the scenes workings of garden show displays! 🌼🌸🌺

[@Rougebasque]

Well done Olivia! Great future ahead.

[@ericaanderson2508]

Thanks for giving us an idea of what it takes to put together a show garden. Hopefully I will see the results.

[@ThreeRunHomer]

What an interesting (and difficult) process. So much to do.

[@MurphysGarden]

It’s had its challenges and I’m sure we’ve got more to come but it’s fun working together as a family on a new project (which isn’t our garden), we each have our strengths and weaknesses but together we have most things covered 🤞. This time Olivia is the boss and has a very clear vision for the space.

[@rgw5830]

The stunning yellow and pink rose bushes at The Melbourne Cup each year are always on point for the first Tuesday in November. The head gardener assures us he gauges where they're at, then uses 'Sudden Impact for Roses' in quantities that guarantee a perfect display, year after year. Maybe if you feed some and not the others?

[@MurphysGarden]

Yes, I guess that comes with experience but I think if we bring things into the greenhouse that we want to accelerate into flowering and feed lots that should help 🤞

[@carmenzamastil1545]

Thanks for sharing.

[@fyvewytches]

Rabbits, holes, gardens, strange men in hats… it’s all very Alice in Wonderland 😊.
Coincidence, just this weekend we bought a garden bench exactly the same as the one which first appears at 6:24.

[@MurphysGarden]

🤣 Yes, it’s been quite the adventure, perhaps I’ll wake up and it’s all been a dream! That looks like a beautiful bench, hope you enjoy it, thanks for watching
Jenny

[@jacquesviljoen2790]

Stunning. Thank You to both of you.
While on the bench at the nursery you look just like Victoria Greyson from the series Revenge. 😜.
Thanks for all the inspiring videos. Wish your seasons matched South Africa’s seasons. Would make your tips so much easier.

[@MurphysGarden]

Thank you for your kind comments

[@jacquesviljoen2790]

⁠🙏🏼

[@imaginativeusername4732]

Looks lovely! But also expensive with all those plants - does the RHS helpout with the budget?

[@MurphysGarden]

Yes, the RHS give each entrant money and then you can also approach companies for additional sponsorship, Liv has received sponsorship from her University, The University of Sheffield. Also partly sponsored by Murphy’s Garden (especially cheap labour!🤣)

[@rgw5830]

@@MurphysGarden Olivia, you could also borrow from Mum, with your designer's eye imagine something from her garden as a filler or even seasonal piece. Is there an Italian stone piece (tucked in for water) your parents are considering buying in the future which could be utilised in their garden later and yours now. It looks Whimsy and Water. Just make sure you have more of everything

[@jej887]

What is the plant you mention at 5:29 mins in please? The plant you mention after the brunnerer. Thank you.

[@Bandaid17]

Eupatorium (Joe Pye )

[@MurphysGarden]

Yes, it’s eupatorium, I have two in my garden eupatorium maculatum and purpureum, I like the Eupatorium purpureum best as it has lovely purple stems and this is the one in the video. A great plant for back of border.