Dream come true for debut designer at RHS Chelsea, Baz Grainger designs the Killik & Co garden
Baz Grainger, from Landform Consultants, is making his Chelsea debut designing the Killik & Co ‘Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees’ sanctuary garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024, marking the 35th Anniversary of the wealth management company.
Designer Baz Grainger said: “Designing a garden at Chelsea has been a dream of mine for over 20 years following a visit in 2000. I finally took the plunge to diversify from a career in fashion in 2017 and retrained in garden design at the National Design Academy, Nottingham and I’ve never looked back. I am fascinated by the interplay between man-made and natural and love to experiment with this in my designs.
“I feel truly privileged to be working with Killik & Co to bring this garden to life, and I want visitors to be inspired to incorporate some of the elements into their own gardens – whether it’s the colours, scents or a simple place to sit and take some time with their loved ones.”
Killik & Co opened its first high street branch in Chelsea in 1989 and its ethos very much remains the same – to be the best wealth manager for families. The garden is designed to be a supportive environment, and facilitate the important conversations and reflections that families should be having together over a lifetime.
Georgie Killik from Killik & Co said of the garden: “The design of this garden truly brings to life the financial complexities that multi-generational families navigate when it comes to their personal finances, while effectively demonstrating the advantages of working closely with an expert. The garden is beautifully unique, and all at Killik & co are delighted to be a part of this iconic show, and mark our 35th Anniversary in such a special way.”
Informal at first glance, with a relaxed planting style, the garden invites a reappraisal of the space by immersion within it. Centred around a water well in the heart of the garden, there are three main structural elements to represent Killik & Co’s core services; Saving, Planning and Investing. A path of limestone and oak cobbles, generous enough in proportion to encourage people to converse whilst walking side by side, leads the journey through the space. An area cushioned by planting hosts two reclining seats, placed to encourage conversation and offer a different perspective through the garden.
Oak planters punctuate, filled with scented flowers and foliage in a palette influenced by colour theory, to specifically induce feelings of calm. As well as perfuming the air and providing interest in form and height, the planters also offer a place to pause and rest on the incorporated carved seating.
The communal dining area, perfect for family gatherings, is sheltered by a limestone and steel pergola, the top of which acts as an aqueduct with water flowing down into the well below.
The planting has been influenced by both colour theory and aromatherapy, with the resulting selection specifically chosen to soothe as well as promote clear thinking. It is tranquil in tone but generous in nature, with a mix of trees, shrubs, perennials and herbs in soft whites, pale lemons and pops of magenta and purple. The varieties are suitable for environments with less water and will be mulched to promote water retention and lower maintenance.
The Killik & Co ‘Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees’ Garden will be built by award-winning landscape contractors Landform Consultants.
For more information about the Killik & Co ‘Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees’ Garden please visit HERE