Silver Gilt Medal
A Beltane Border
The story
The border is inspired by a newer Beltane tradition of the Green Man and May Queen meeting to light the fire. It was an ancient tradition to light all fires in the home from the Beltane fire to bring luck for the coming year.
The Green Man is represented by one side and has a more woodland feel, whilst the May Queen is represented by the other which has a more open and overtly floral nature.
The two parts are joined by a low angular stone wall from which a charred timber seat is cantilevered and plants are colonising. The dark angular stone and charred timber both from fire, highlight the softness of the planting.
A mossy route runs through the centre of the border, connecting the two parts. The proposed planting scheme is to include a combination of native plants associated with Beltane, combined with non-native perennials in warm colours to create drama but also softness. The Green Man area is represented by birch, rowan and woodland underplanting, with the May Queen represented by hawthorn, complemented by a palette of native perennials, combined with warm colour ornamental perennials.
Unifying this, is a palette of green foliage that serves as the base for the whole border and creates a coherent look. Use of yellow in general at Beltane was seen as bringing good luck.
Recognition
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Silver Gilt MedalRHS
