David Attenborough said: “It's surely our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth.”
The "Main Garden” is filled with big blocks of planting with textured leaves and interestingly formed flowers; Hydrangea quercifolia, Veronicastrums, Acanthus Mollis and Astillbes provide a wildlife friendly environment.
Plants were supplied by Hortus Loci and the main garden trees by Deepdale.
The Earth Garden
The overarching idea for the garden stemmed from wanting to strike a deal with nature that it would be happy to shake on. If we are to build gardens, how can we do so in a way that benefits the natural world and us simultaneously?
As a young designer, I would like to take this opportunity to help highlight and promote the materials that have the future of our environment at heart and offer ways in which they can be incorporated within a modern design. Materials used were either up-cycled, naturally based, locally sourced or biodegradable. The stars of the show have to be the carbon neutral Hempcrete blocks with their coloured lime renders, which are an amazing alternative to concrete blocks, if used correctly. The coloured K-briqs also deserve a mention which are made from recycled construction waste.
This garden intends to challenge what we, as humans, really desire in outdoor spaces and whether many modern day luxuries are simply just extras. Therefore, through sympathetic design and a modest set of materials, the motive is to simplify our outdoor living space whilst allowing plenty of room for nature to thrive. Paring back features in the garden challenges one to become more resourceful and creative; the water feature in the Garden Room is a good example of this. Old bits of 20mm mild steel pipes have been used, with nine separate feeders and a regulated water pump from Landscape Plus, to create subtle droplets that disappeared into the gravel into a reservoir. This system is so simple and achievable and I think is effective in adding to the calming atmosphere of this part of the garden. It’s worth mentioning that using recycled, upcycled or sustainable products never comprises the design, quality or creativity of the garden.
Bespoke furniture created from up-cycled scaffold boards was built by furniture maker, David Archer. This modest dining set sat on a bed of locally sourced 10mm Grey Limestone gravel from The Stone Warehouse. www.stonewarehouse.co.uk
I think gardens in urban areas ought to take you away from the controlled environment of city life and for a moment be able to fall witness to the feeling of insignificance; where one can down scale any problems or fears they may carry. I’ve always thought the presence of old trees can help with this. In the Garden Room, a multi-stem Acer Griseum, sourced from Hortus Loci, takes centre stage offering and a sense of scale and perspective to whomever is in it’s presence.
The Acer is nestled between four Hempcrete blocks walls which aslo create a comfortable and secure environment. The walls have been rendered with lime and coloured with a natural oxide pigment. Steel coping from Everedge offers the wall protection from the weather; a detail which is of importance when working with Hempcrete and lime.
Plant List
Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ or best purple foliage
Astilbe Europa
Astilbe Vision in White
Deschampsia cespitosa Goldtau
Digiplexus Falcon Fire
Polystichum setiferum
Brunnera 'Silver Heart'
Brunnera Jack Frost
Deschampsia cespitosa Goldtau
Digitalis martonensis
Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Prolifica’
Echincea Adobe Orange
Euphorbia schlingii
Foeniculum vulgare Atropurpureum
Geum Princess Juliana
Geum Tequilla Sunrise
Hackonencloa macra
Hordeum jubatum
Nicotiana Antique Purple
Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Alba’
Persicaria Pink Elephant
Rodgersia podophylla
Symphyotrichum Twilight
Silene coeli-rosa Blue Angel
Veronicastrum virg. fascination
Hedging & Shrubs
Euphorbia mellifera
Hydrangea aspera Anthony Bullivant
Hydrangea aspera macrophylla
Hydrangea petiolaris
Hydrangea quercifolia Snowqueen
Salix rosmarinifolia
Tiarella Spring Symphony
Trees
Acer Capillipes
Acer griseum