Gardening inspiration

An Emirati’s success on the international stage may inspire more talent to bloom

Will Emirati garden designer Kamelia Zaal's silver-gilt medal inspire more investment in gardening? Stephen Lock / The National

Kamelia Bin Zaal's award at the Chelsea Flower Show presents an opportunity to think about gardening in the UAE. As The National reported yesterday, the first Emirati designer to display at the Royal Horticultural Society's annual event in London has won a silver-gilt medal for her design, Beauty of Islam, which is inspired by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Hopefully, her achievement will prompt more interest and investment in gardening in this country.

Gardening is a creative and therapeutic endeavour that has the power to transform how we interact with our dynamic environment. For many people, pottering in the yard – or on the terrace – becomes a lifelong passion.

But the desert climate presents unique challenges. The gardeners’ journey will include discovering hardier plants and determining more efficient, water-friendly and sustainable designs. Their ­reward will be in creating something to delight and inspire us all.