A tall growing ornamental grass that will add an architectural touch to any planting scheme. Plants spread by underground rhizomes forming attractive leafy clumps that will make a bold statement at the back of border. The variety 'Variegata' has a broad yellow stripe along its leaves. Variegated forms are more tender than the plain green ones so plant in a sheltered spot away from strong winds. The flowers which appear in late autumn are purplish green and remain on the plant once growth dies back.
Phyllostachys nigra Black bamboo
A striking bamboo to use as a specimen plant, this naturally forms a dramatic tall, fairly upright shape. As the finger-thick canes mature, they become glossy jet black, showing up well against the frieze of airy evergreen foliage. Plants look good growing with shrubs, particularly evergreens in a large border or foliage garden, but can also be grown as a single clump in a lawn. Bamboos associate particularly well with water where they make striking reflections, although they do not like wet or waterlogged soil. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Fatsia japonica Japanese aralia
Often grown as a foliage houseplant for cool situations, this is also a very successful shade-tolerant garden plant. It is suitable for seaside gardens, or against warm walls and in sheltered corners inland - hard frost can injure the leaves, but plants will recover if the roots are protected from frost. The large glossy leaves make it a useful addition to tropical-type planting plans. Plant in spring to allow time to establish before the frosts. Remove berries to increase leaf size, and water and feed regularly. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Agapanthus 'Blue Triumphator' African blue lily
This is a good choice for clear blue flowers in mid- and late summer, at the top of tall stems, above long, strap-like, arching leaves. It also makes an eye-catching show in large containers where good drainage can be guaranteed, allowing the plants to be moved under cover in winter to avoid excess wet and freezing temperatures, which don't agree with its African heritage.
Hosta 'Big Daddy' Plantain lily
This is a clump-forming perennial with leaves that are rounded to heart-shaped, cupped, deeply puckered and a glaucous grey-blue. At 28cm (11in) long they are an impressive sight. This hosta bears bell-shaped flowers of a whitish-grey colour on long leafy stalks in early summer. Watch out for slugs and take action against them from very early in the spring.
To view the panoramic image, click on the garden with your mouse and drag it around the picture. To find out about the planting hotspots in the garden, click on the leaf icon above. To start and stop the audio commentary click on the speaker icon.
If you're having problems viewing the panoramic images read our help page. Alternatively, take a look at our still photography of all of the show gardens.
"Neither chocolate-box pretty nor stuffed full of pastel-coloured flowers, our design aims to open up gardening to a whole new generation. This is a true urban jungle for today’s young professional; it's big-leaf, it's industrial, it's accessible.
"The ultimate party garden for living it up or chilling out after a hard night, this is a real garden for real people. Based on the dimensions of a typical urban development, it uses quirky, fresh takes on traditional features, swapping flower beds and borders for suspended platforms, dramatic tropical planting and chunky stone sculpture."
Nigel Boardman and Stephen Gelly - designers of The Urban Jungle garden
Discover which garden the public voted their favourite in this year's BBC RHS People's Award.
"Neither chocolate-box pretty nor stuffed full of pastel-coloured flowers, our design aims to open up gardening to a whole new generation. This is a true urban jungle for today’s young professional; it's big-leaf, it's industrial, it's accessible.
