The Calm and Wellbeing Garden
Following on from the huge success of the 2021 trade stand garden for Hartley Botanic, we were delighted to be invited back to design their trade stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show again in 2022.
Hartley Botanic asked us to choose a theme; The Calm and Wellbeing Garden seemed a perfect choice given the turbulent few years that had passed since the last May Chelsea Flower Show. Gardens can act as a wonderful sanctuary; a place to get away from it all, to reset and relax.
But what exactly is a Wellbeing Garden and how did we achieve it in the middle of a busy show ground? Well, in summary, we were keen that there was a minimalistic colour palette. The hard landscaping was to be an infusion of natural and neutral. The planting was to be predominantly green with a focus on texture and form. All these details combined to create a calming garden space.
Architectural Planting for a Relaxation Garden
In terms of the selection of plants, we wanted gorgeous foliage so opted for plants such as Paeonia ‘Coral Charm’, Euphorbia stygiana, Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’ and Fatsia ‘Spider’s web’. Whilst strappy leaves ofLibertia chilensis contrasted with larger leafed hostas and grasses such as Hakonechloa macra were planted alongside ferns.
Tropical Planting for a Meditation Garden
We were keen to demonstrate one of the many benefits of owning a greenhouse which is being able to grow tropical and tender plants. Therefore, several of these featured in the planting scheme also. These included Strelitzia reginae AKA ‘Bird of Paradise’ plant (amazingly this was even in flower!), Musa basjoo (banana plant), Cycas revoluta and Echium pininana.
There was a primary focus on green in terms of colour but we could’t resist introducing soft oranges to balance out lime greens and the odd splash of mauve and purple also. Green is the perfect choice for a wellbeing garden as is associated with tranquility and calm.
Harmonising the planting with the paving
One of the details that we were really keen to focus on was blurring the lines between the hard landscaping (paving and bricks) and the soft (planting).
For this Wellbeing Garden, we selected plants with a glaucous leaf colour such as the Eucalyptus gunnii which balanced the grey tones of the brickwork, greenhouse and paving. Pops of purple subtly broke up the monotony but kept the stand feeling calm.
We stated in the brief that there would be minimal in the way of geometry in the wellbeing garden. One of the ways in which we achieved this was to lay the ‘Cinder’ porcelain planks from London Stone at staggered ends. We then planted Soleirolia soleirolii (AKA ‘Mind-your-own-business!) in between the planks and the gravel. It was a textural dream!
Internal Styling
Part of the brief was to show how the greenhouses could be enjoyed by gardeners and non-gardeners alike. Each greenhouse had an area for planting and was dressed with elegant planters and fashionable house plants. Each greenhouse also had somewhere to relax be that a chair and table, sofa or chaise longue!
We were delighted to see that the Wellbeing Garden was subsequently featured in a Homes and Gardens article titled ‘RHS Chelsea Flower Show – 5 Trends to watch out for in 2022’.
Five Stars!
It was wonderful to receive Five Stars from the RHS judges for the Calm and Wellbeing Garden.
If you’re considering creating your own Wellbeing Garden or would like to add this lifestyle trend to your existing garden then get in touch.
We create Relaxation and Wellbeing Gardens in Essex, Suffolk and surrounding areas.
