HOWLE Hill Nursery’s 2018 show garden at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival has won both a gold and ‘best construction’ award.

The Ross-on-Wye nursery’s garden features the work of Dorset-based sculptor Simon Gudgeon and includes a piece destined for Kew Gardens.

‘The Spirit of the Woods’ focuses on our spiritual connection with nature, using sculpture as the medium. It showcases three stunning pieces each individually framed, exploring different views and different backdrops.

‘Leaf Spirit’, the central piece, is a 1.8m-high, serene, contemplative face set in a grotto made from Forest of Dean Rock. It has been purchased by Kew Gardens and will be installed in a permanent position in the Rose Garden.

Water drips down in the grotto and it is filled with ferns and mosses. The large pool in front provides beautiful reflections of the face while the Malvern Hills behind offer the perfect backdrop.

The main viewing point is from a solid oak jetty, which overhangs the pool at the opposite end, while stepping stones allow visitors to move across the water from one side of the garden to the other.

The second piece, ‘Whispering Spirit’, is a smaller mystical face cast in bronze with lips slightly parted inviting you to listen as she whispers in your ear. The sound echoes like a seashell.

Finally, there is ‘Sylph’ a ballerina-like figure made from thousands of copper leaves, set amidst the trees and bamboos with the appearance of dancing on leaves.

The planting features beautiful trees, shrubs and perennials from the nursery.

It is the first time Simon Gudgeon has exhibited at Malvern. He is based at ‘Sculpture by the Lakes’ in Dorset, where his work is set into 20 acres of lakes and parkland.

To learn more about Howle Hill Nursery, visit www.howlehillnursery.co.uk