We are extremely proud to announce that this year, the Dutch team has been awarded the Prize for Creation at the 2025 International Garden Festival at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire for our garden, Forxcalibur.

For over 30 years, the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire has been a testing ground for contemporary creation in the field of gardens and landscape design on an international scale. The Festival encourages ideas and acts as an incubator for talent, breathing new life into the art of gardens by presenting new blooms, new materials, concepts, and innovative approaches that appeal to both the general public and professionals alike. The diversity, creativity, and sheer quality of its projects have forged a global reputation for the Festival, which has become an unmissable event for a new generation of landscape designers to present their work.

GARDEN DESCRIPTION

Forxcalibur is a garden that aims to showcase the power of community spirit where the ability to change the world lies within the hearts of every individual, not just a singular hero. The journey through the garden begins at an overgrown ruin, where the fairytale takes root. Nature has reclaimed the space, and the walls are formed from stacked logs to create a variety of habitats.

As you venture further, you encounter a series of human interventions designed to support biodiversity—from log piles and stacked timber to cascading water features. The pools offer not only a moment for reflection but also create vital habitats and transitional zones where nature and humanity interact.

At the rear of the garden stands a sculpture named Forxcalibur—a giant gardening fork assembled from reclaimed steel. This sculpture captures the essence of the garden, where every gardener and gardening tool can contribute to collective change. As you move through the remainder of the space, you’ll find places to pause, rest, and reflect on your journey, as well as new vantage points from which to appreciate the garden.

Throughout Forxcalibur, both traditional and inventive approaches to habitat creation are explored, alongside simple planting combinations using readily available species complemented by carefully chosen specimens.