Dear Carol, I firstly thought that buying a new crane for a week at £743,000 was a bit excessive to say the least! Then to state from the Designer he got his inspirations for the bottom bit from Capability Brown, did leave me wondering somewhat! For I cannot remember going to Blenheim Palace and seeing a huge crane in the way of the lovely vista! In fact of all of Brown's gardens, I cannot remember a crane, in any of his gardens either. Nor have I have seen Leylandii or rather a variety of it used in his gardens. Rather strange to say the least! As for this blue grass or turf as some people have stated, it is neither. Most sorry to disappoint you as it is in fact recycled plastic balls! They did in fact have bags of the plastic stuff on the stand, which amused me. As half the time they were trying to get it off the plants as it blew in the breeze.
Due to the fact I was taking pictures with a rather expensive camera, the inventor of this ludicrous stuff asked me what I thought of it. So I told him it looked very similar to what they put on gravestones in cemeteries, except the real stuff is made from granite and is deigned to keep the weeds down.
He then asked me if I had worked in a cemetery which I have as an Apprentice gardener and if his product would work!
I was as polite as possible and told him that cemeteries are normally, bleak and windswept places and it would blow away and could not keep the weeds down! Plus who wants to be buried under a lot of recycled carrier bags and empty plastic bottles! Not that this would bother me, but it may bother some people!
He was as one says not amused!
However they do do it in many different colours as well, if you do know anyone who loves picking plastic balls out of their borders, let him know?
Kindest Regards.
Neil.
p.s. Off the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in July, that should be fun!