The John Joseph Mechi Garden by Ben Wincott and Simon Watkins

The garden has been designed to reflect two anniversaries - the 150th of the founding of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) and 125 years of jam making by the Wilkin family at Tiptree, Essex – both connected through the farming activities of the Victorian entrepreneur John Joseph Mechi.

“The John Joseph Mechi garden has been inspired by these historical figures," says Ben. "I did not want to do a ‘now and then’ garden, I wanted to create a garden that John would have conjured if he had had access to current products and materials.”

A copper effect wall and polished copper bowls in the walls represent the jam factory, while fibreglass seating with a bespoke fabric design represents RABI.

The planting is dominated by fruiting plants, strawberries, a fig tree, ‘Conference’ pear and for maximum impact, vertical walls of rhubarb giving an easy yet innovative way to grow and harvest the succulent stems. A contemporary yet rustic willow fence brings Victorian farming tradition to the present day.

The hard landscaping of stone paving incorporates the motto of John Joseph Mechi, ‘the fruit of the land conserves life', an appropriate thought for today as you walk through the garden.