Harlow Carr the RHS garden in Harrogate has a series of gardens through the ages. This sculpture is part of the offering for the Festival of Britain 1951. To me it looks a lot more modern than that but certainly none the worse.

Which came first the sculptural design or the planting scheme? Either way the two combine in a special harmony that needs to be seen. The light wind (yes it can be a light wind in Yorkshire) was moving the oat grass around the leaping fish in a realistic impression of the sea. The colouring on the fish scales was picked out by the flowers that were subservient in the overall design.

Design Tips  from The Harlow Carr Fish

• Simple planting schemes can be very effective.
• Don’t use too many varieties of plant.
• Seed heads can give movement and contrasting effects
• Link the key elements of any sculpture to the planting in shape, form, colour or style.
• There was a pond just beyond the fish that linked themes together
• Consider the impact for each season before starting planting.

See Barbara Hepworth sculptures in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park