Behind the scenes: Creating carpet beds

Summer maintenance
Once they’re planted, these plants need a certain amount of TLC throughout the season. "With thousands of plants jostling for position in close quarters the threat of fungal infection is high and irrigation has to be controlled, especially in hot humid weather," says Steve who keeps plant material on reserve, just in case.

In the summer, every three weeks Steve and his team have to cut and shape the plant material. Ladders and walking boards suspended over the bed protect it against footprints. Hand-held, electric clippers are used to shape the letters and bring the design features back into focus.