Journey Of Discovery
Winning a medal for his first exhibit at the prestigious RHS Tatton Park Flower Show has encouraged Samuel Galloway to develop his love of landscaping
A young architect graduate has recently enjoyed considerable success at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Tatton Park Flower Show winning silver for his Harmony Arch Long Garden design.
From a young age, Samuel Galloway has always been interested in gardening having created beautiful cottage-style borders working alongside his mum and nan: “They both loved gardening. When I was young, people always used to ask what my hobbies were and it was only when I became a bit older that I realised gardening was my hobby and passion. I had been involved in gardening from such a young age it was just naturally part of my life,” explains Samuel, who used gardening as a ‘de-stresser’ when sitting exams at school.
“I broke up old pallets to create a vegetable garden, which turned out to be great and it was about this time I started to think about studying architecture at university. I have always been interested in ‘context’ within the surroundings in which we live.”
Samuel went on to study architecture at Sheffield University: “While I was interested in buildings and how we exist within the spaces, my love of the outdoors and gardening continued.
“I considered studying both architecture and landscape but doing a dual degree was a lot of work – in hindsight I wish I had done it because I did have the motivation do both.
“While I was studying architecture I always veered towards landscaping,” recalls Samuel, who during his studies and the subsequent pandemic, found refuge in gardening.
“I started researching heritage plants and vegetables along with architectural plants which add structure to a garden.”
Around the same time Samuel became involved with Astley Hall Walled Garden – a project that engages members of the community in gardening. It was also something that Samuel was able to adapt and apply to his university studies at the time: “I very much focused on the landscape side of architecture – the urban fabric and the relationship between the buildings and their surroundings.”
Taking a year out after university to study at a London architectural studio gave Samuel the knowledge and confidence to embrace landscaping, working on an educational project at the National Gallery: “Nearby schools got involved in the project to re-design an education centre in order to get the best out of the available space. There were different structures to work with – it was a really interesting time for me.”
When he returned to his roots in the north, Samuel began working for a housing association applying his architectural skills to optimise space for social housing, working within the community to achieve the best outcome.
“This is something I really enjoy,” adds Samuel, who recently decided to enter the RHS Tatton Long Border category: “To enter you had to submit a design, a perspective image, a planting plan and a funding scheme.
“For me it was very much a passion project – something I had always wanted to do.”
Submitting his design back in February, Samuel was over the moon to discover his Harmony Arch design had been accepted for the summer show: “There was an awful lot of logistics involved!” recalls Samuel.
Summoning help from the volunteers he had worked with at Astley Hall, Samuel and his team were able to construct the garden within four days.
His design, based on personal gender and identity, was exceptionally well received by the public and the judges, who described the border as: “An arresting array of plants in a powerful palette of pink and puce that stand proud against four wicker arches, themselves symbolic of the journey of discovery and one’s ability to embrace discovered identity.”
Samuel adds: “The border was designed to inspire reflection of one’s true self, set against a backdrop of nature’s diversity and resilience.
“It was a garden for everyone in terms of plants that have colour, texture and form. There were spiky blues and golden yellows, while central to the theme was a series of willow arches.”
The arches in Samuel’s long border, were placed in a particular way which only aligned when viewers stood in a certain spot in the garden: “They encouraged people to try and find the spot where they aligned, which became their own personal journey. It was quite an emotive subject.”
Today Samuel is developing his landscaping and is hoping to set up a business that combines his passion for planting combined with his love of architecture: “Winning silver at Tatton was fantastic but it wasn’t the focal point. The people I met, I became friends with and it has made me even more passionate about how landscaping within our streets and cities can change the way we think, it can alter our mood and enhance our wellbeing – and that’s what I find fascinating.”
