The theme of this year's Hillier exhibit was integration of contemporary ideas in traditional designs. We rose to the challenge by producing new ornaments specially for the garden. The Dove Sculptures - which come in two styles and sizes - can be arranged to your liking and individually moved to change the effect.

Like the Doves, the Contemporary Bowls manage to combine simple modern lines with the rustic finish of our Reclamation Stone. These Bowls are the perfect complement to the Doves either as an imaginative planter, fountain or birdbath.

Andrew McIndoe's Dove Garden was divided into quarters, similar in structure but each with a different colour scheme reflecting a different time of day. Morning is light, fresh and uplifting. Lime green, pale yellow, cream and sky blue. The afternoon is full and warm; pinks, lilacs, purples enhanced by full summer greens and warm wines. The garden for the evening makes the most of sunset shades, orange, apricot and deep yellow shot with deep plum and dark blue. The night uses rich dark foliage shot with the silver of stars and white of moonlight; the scent of jasmine fills the air.

For once I thought I might bore you with some facts and figures about the Hillier exhibit. The paved areas in this year's design were raised by 1200 cement blocks and 12 tonnes of sand, the raised infinity pool's cylindrical steel tank was so heavy it had to be supported by a reinforced concrete foundation, the 3000 trees, shrubs and plants were transported to the show by 11 trucks and staged by a team of 30 people over a period of four days and dismantled in 12 hours.

Tim Redwood, May 2003