Alnwick Garden
The Alnwick Garden Project Profile
The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland is now world-famous as one of the most exciting contemporary gardens to be developed in the last century and has become a leading garden visitor attraction.
The first phase of The Garden opened in 2001 with the Grand Cascade, the Rose Garden and the Ornamental Garden. Since then have been added one of the largest wooden tree houses in the world, the Poison Garden, Bamboo Labyrinth and Serpent Gardens, and The Pavilion and Visitor Centre, which was opened in 2006.
One of the busiest areas is the link between the Ornamental Garden and the top of the Grand Cascade, a route taken by upwards of half a million visitors a year. Although hard landscaped paths are provided, the adjacent grassed areas take more than their share of pounding.
The area is also heavily shaded - less than ideal conditions for ordinary turf to thrive. The result has been that, up to now, the turf has had to be replaced twice a year.
The Solution
To solve the problem, Head Gardener Derek Horton has specified RTF Turf grown by Inturf to face one of its toughest challenges yet.
Rhizomatous Tall Fescue, which was developed by Barenbrug, is unique in producing extremely deep rhizomes which makes it drought resistant, more resistant to wear and tear, quicker to self-repair, and more shade tolerant.
RTF was developed to meet the challenges of high-traffic areas such as golf courses in climates which are much hotter and drier than the UK’s, but is now being widely specified by our grounds professionals and greenkeepers as well as by landscape architects.
The Client’s View
“Attention to detail is extremely important in a garden like this,” says Derek Horton (right). “Anything which can help us keep this very popular part of the garden looking at its best will be valuable.”
“The RTF turf has established well, has a lush sward and an excellent colour. We’re very excited by the idea that this turf will stand the test of time - and thousands of visitors!”RTF Key Facts
- Unique deep rhizomes
- Drought tolerant
- More shade tolerant
- Self repairing
- Excellent for soil stabilisation
- Suitable for close mowing
- Slow to build up thatch