The Garden of Potential by Dan Bristow - RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Plants ](https://gardensdb.com/plants) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Follow [ gardensdb on Instagram (opens in a new tab)](https://www.instagram.com/gardensdb/) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Plants What was planted, and who used it ](https://gardensdb.com/plants) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](https://gardensdb.com/help) [ gardensdb on Instagram (opens in a new tab)](https://www.instagram.com/gardensdb/) ![A fresh garden featuring a timber pergola supporting a large boulder and green roof, with a wooden playhouse and a winding path through lush plants.](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/de5915f1-d0e4-47c6-b91c-57b464b7a337/conversions/the-garden-of-potential-1-gallery.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/rhs-chelsea-flower-show-2016) Fresh Garden ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-silver-gilt-medal/icon.webp) Silver Gilt Medal The Garden of Potential ========================= Designed by Dan Bristow At a glance Show RHS Chelsea Flower Show Year 2016 Category Fresh Garden About this garden The story ----------- Rugged Icelandic landscapes, a Buddhist sense of oneness and the Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa have come together in unexpected horticultural harmony to provide the inspiration for The Garden of Potential. A five-tonne glacial boulder balances precariously on the roof of an oak pavilion, directly above a ceramic sculpture by contemporary artist Jesse Wine. An 'elaborate gutter' architecturally zigzags through the landscape, capturing a rainstorm's potency in a gurgling rill. A path, inspired by a collapsed fence, almost tips the visitor into the space. Rarely used, and often derided plants predominate. Majestic field horsetail, Equisetum arvense, weaves through a lush and unusual woodland planting scheme with Golden Leylandii, in all its sculptural neon beauty as a focal point. Award Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-silver-gilt-medal/icon.webp) Silver Gilt Medal RHS The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ DB Dan Bristow Designer Studio Bristow ](https://gardensdb.com/people/dan-bristow) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/de5915f1-d0e4-47c6-b91c-57b464b7a337/conversions/the-garden-of-potential-1-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/bcd59ab3-3683-41d9-9a42-f4f0b5fccaec/conversions/the-garden-of-potential-4-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/41f0b8b4-2e0d-47a8-a708-b6b419ebd2e6/conversions/the-garden-of-potential-2-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/edb427a4-0527-4877-ba87-a8a0223d441a/conversions/the-garden-of-potential-3-gallery.webp) ![]() / Hero image Set as hero Photo: Brought to life by Organisations --------------- ### Landscaper 1 - [ M Mark Wallinger Landscapes ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/mark-wallinger-landscapes) ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. Follow [ gardensdb on Instagram (opens in a new tab)](https://www.instagram.com/gardensdb/) Browse - [ All gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Plants ](https://gardensdb.com/plants) - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charities ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) Contribute - [ Add a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) - [ Suggest a correction ](https://gardensdb.com/help) About - [ What is GardensDB? ](https://gardensdb.com/help) - [ Contact ](https://gardensdb.com/help) - [ Help & FAQs ](https://gardensdb.com/help) © 2026 GardensDB. A community-driven catalogue.