Requesting a greenhouse without glass is one of the more unusual inquiries that our Marketing Department has received, but it was all in the cause of art and we were pleased to help out local designer Julian Bull create his latest installation.
Based in Feckenham near Redditch, Julian is self-taught and has a talent for exploring a range of themes using many different materials and techniques with an emphasis on the importance of composition and the effect of light.
Created for the Feckenham Flower and Garden Festival in Worcestershire, the Vitavia Jupiter greenhouse that we supplied has been transformed into 'The Eternal Summerhouse', whose striking appearance will certainly be noticed.
The bright silver aluminium frame has now been fitted with multi-coloured transparent acrylic glazing, with the result that the whole structure becomes in Julian's words 'a temple of colour' designed to put a smile on your face even if the weather is miserable.
As the sun moves over the greenhouse, long colourful shadows are cast through the multiple layers of acrylic, so the effect is forever changing and the interior becomes filled with different shapes of a vibrant spectrum.
The summerhouse's appearance also comes to life after dark when it is illuminated internally and its appearance is further re-worked at times when the panels are misted with morning dew or covered in frost during the winter.
Now in its 33rd year, the festival takes place in Feckenham near Redditch on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May 2018. Approximately 30 gardens and the flower-filled 12th-century church are open to the public, and there's also a barbecue, plant and garden sale.
For his artwork, we supplied Julian with a Vitavia Jupiter 10ft x 8ft greenhouse, and further information about his work can be obtained from Julian Bull.
The gardens
St. John the Baptist Church (12th Century) Flower festival: 'Celebration and Commemoration'.
The Old Vicarage Impressive frontage to this 19th-century vicarage with extensive lawn, interesting variety of trees and shrub borders with topiary.
2 Mill Lane 19th Century Cottage Small fore-garden leading through to a courtyard garden on two levels at the rear. An ongoing project with a view easy to maintenance.
6 Mill Lane Large gardens surround the house with lawns, patio, fountain, attractive borders, kitchen garden, fruit trees and secluded seating area. Partial view of church tower.
The Old School House A grade 11 listed 17th-century school house with a much-loved family garden including part of a medieval dry moat.
Chapel Cottage A garden in 3 stages - the entrance garden, by the main chapel doors; the buttress garden along the side; and the courtyard garden to the rear. A mixture of beds, herbs, shrubs and well-stocked pots.
21 The Square Delightful cottage garden with pretty frontage to The Square which has been imaginatively developed over the last 31 years with something for everyone.
1 The Square 18th-century cottage with access to the house to recently re-design courtyard garden maximising space, colour, and ease of maintenance.
43 High Street Through house the shady garden. Half gets no direct sunlight at all for six months of the year, half in tree shade. Cottage style, herbaceous. Generous seating.
39 High Street 'The House of John the Good' Late 16th-century yeoman farmhouse with very sociable, front cottage garden and impressive espaliered pear.
The Shambles Enter via the 'pit stop' garage into a delightful south-west facing walled garden featuring long herbaceous borders, fruit trees and a pergola seating area where you can rest your weary feet.
Honeysuckle House This lovely garden full of flowers and shrubs hides a secret for the little ones in the sunken garden - look out for the wild animals (only pretend!).
13 High Street Enter through garden gate into this attractive front garden full of colour, which leads through to a secluded rear family garden. Exit into Coupass Cottages.
11 High Street A garden in development which attempts to portray the ideals of the 'Arts and Crafts' movement following the age and style of the house.
The Byre A small garden with a backdrop of evergreen for winter colour. It is heavily planted with a wide variety of hardy perennials which create seasonal colour throughout the year.
The Stables Former 19th-century farm stables. This large, secluded, hedged garden is a haven designed to attract wildlife and birds. There is also a well-stocked fruit and vegetable plot.
Kopper Cottage A garden for all seasons with a space to relax - lovingly created by the current owners together, continually evolving over fifty years to suit their changing needs to evolve into naturalistic planting.
The Old Coach House This garden is designed to exploit its range of levels; seating for different times of day and to be easy to maintain!
Chesterfield House 17th-century farmhouse with large secluded garden. Extensive lawn, shrubbery and semi-tropical garden including banana, palms, bamboo, cannas and gingers.
The Manor House Wisteria, box hedges, lawn, flower beds and traditional borders surrounding this grade 2* listed late 17th century Manor House. Walk in further to find a mulberry tree, hazel tunnel, a meadow walk and arboretum. Check out the road gate for the banksy as you walk to 22.
Saltway Cottage A lovely courtyard garden on two levels that is both a front and back garden! A delightful range of "cottage garden" and pot plants. Will the wisteria be out?
Brook House A reinstated water wheel. Well established trees including ancient mulberry and cedars, shrubbery, four-acre wildflower meadow, orchard and productive fruit and veg garden.
7 Droitwich Road A space to relax and contemplate nature and art with a soundtrack of bird-song! Home to a number of artworks by the resident artist, including one specially created for this event - 'The Eternal Summerhouse'.
The Orchard 'Bringing nature closer'. An ancient walled garden, Circa 1730, which has nurtured the origins of plants we see in pots and borders today.
The Priory Large and well-established garden with extensive lawn. Delightfully tranquil pond with seating to take a break from the "madding crowd".
Manor Farm Early 16th century. A meandering path takes you around a woodland walk.
The Steps Low maintenance front garden, incorporating 'Swansbrook Radio' - Feckenham own radio station.
12 High Street Pretty tucked away garden of a 16th-century cottage. Newish owners have a cottage feel whilst aiming for ease of care! Feature old wall hosting climbers and established ceanothus tree.
14 High Street This charming, hidden, cottage garden behind a 16th-century cottage is planted with bee-friendly traditional cottage plants and a variety of cottage garden plants and shrubs.
Forest Cottage Behind this 17th-century timber-framed cottage finds a walled garden with an ancient mulberry tree, extensive wisteria, a variety of cottage garden plants and shrubs.
Valentine Cottage Development began some years ago and is still in progress. A two-tier garden has changed much from its beginnings. Track its progress on the boards.
The Old House Beautifully maintained extensive garden and ground behind Queen Anne house. Meander through the Spinney, the orchard and continue into the extensive walled garden with its' theme of circles - in brickwork, planting, mowing and shaping of debs. Exit through arched cloister.
The Rose and Crown Grade 11 Coaching Inn with secluded walled garden. Originally a bowling green lawn with plenty of seating and well-maintained planted borders.
-min.jpg "Partner David Coton with Designer Julian Bull in front of an acrylic panelled greenhouse")
-min.jpg "Feckenham Flower & Garden Festival Map, Safety Advice and Disclaimers")
-min.jpg "\"The Eternal Summerhouse\". Describing the different effects that acrylic panels will deliver")
