February 2007
Bradstone provides a taste of Life on Mars at The 2007 Chelsea
Flower Show
Outer space arrives at the Chelsea Flower Show for the first
time ever this year in the form of a terrestrial Mars garden ‘600
Days With Bradstone’.
Inspired by a new era in scientific thinking, Sarah Eberle’s
design can certainly be described as being out of this world!
The designer has created the personal space of an astronaut on a
tour of duty on Mars lasting 600 days, with particular attention
paid to the psychological importance of man’s relationship with his
environment.
The garden is sub-divided into two interlocking spaces with
different functions. The front incorporates a spring where
the water forms a fine mist as it emerges from the ground.
The majority of this area is given over to growing luxury food
items, to support the psychological welfare of the astronaut, as
well as plants with healing properties such as arnica, opium poppy
and calendula.
The rear is an area of relaxation with a hanging chair and a
rest pod where the astronaut can retire in order to maintain a
natural 24-hour cycle. Both the seating and the rest area
have been designed to suit the gravity on the planet, making the
angle of the repose position somewhat different to here on
Earth!
The paving throughout the garden is designed to resemble the
scorched clay patterns seen on Mars, with the overall colour scheme
echoing the dark greys, burnt oranges and coppers found on the
planet. Plants that grow quickly and exhibit constant change
have been chosen for the garden as these are psychologically
important to the astronaut. It has also been important to
include familiar plants that evoke memories of life back home on
Earth.
Sarah says, “I’ve been researching this garden for the past
eight years with the help of the European Space Agency and the
British Science Museum. It’s been a fascinating journey and
I’m really pleased with the final design.
“The challenge with this garden is to integrate both the
physical and psychological needs of an astronaut into a design
which could actually be created on Mars today. In a nutshell,
it’s about stretching my scientific brain as well as my aesthetic
one!”
Ian Wright, from Bradstone, adds: “We’re delighted to be working
with Sarah again after our gold success at the show last
year. This is the first time that a garden at the Chelsea
Flower Show has been set in outer space and I can’t wait to see the
design brought to life.”
The Chelsea Flower Show runs from 22 May to 26 May. See
‘600 Days with Bradstone’ on MA22.