Designed by Helen J Rosevear and Jane Stoneham. This accessible, sensory-rich family garden promotes the Year of Green Action 2019.
It shows how engaging with the wonders of the natural world can foster deep, lasting connections, motivating us to care and act for the environment that cares for us. The garden takes the visitor on a journey into nature. Visitors can explore hanging tactile living panels, plants grown for their sensory appeal and children's miniature garden worlds.
The journey continues through scented nectar-rich flowers to a nature haven of hidden dens and sensory snug -a space for vital time out and relaxation. Making use of limited space, the garden will feature raised planters made fromupcycled industrial drums and renovated containers,andvertical green panelswill be made from recycled and FSC timber. Asensory dome is made from locally sourced bamboo as other materials used within the garden includesrecycled shredded rubber and permeable paving.
The garden also features hand crafted ceramic tiles made in collaboration with Cornwall's famous Leach Pottery.Defra and Sensory Trust have created this garden to raise awareness of the Year of Green Action which is calling for people to take positive steps to care for the environment. It demonstrates how easily people and wildlife can live together while showcasing anaccessible and beautiful design, full of transferable ideas. It highlightshow children of all abilities and their families can be inspired to engage with nature for their health and well-being, inspiring them to contribute to restoring our natural world.
The plantings are chosen to appeal to all the senses. Visually, the garden moves from more mixed, stimulating colours on the patio and pollinator area to more calming blues, purplesand greens inthe quieter spaces towards the end of the garden.
Textural interest is provided through flowers, leaves, vertical gardens and container plantings, as well as within the dens and tunnels. Scent, touch and taste are heightened on the patio with containers and vertical panels filled with vegetables, fruit, herbs and scented leaves and flowers.Edibleswill include peas, beans, tomatoes, salads, strawberries -easy for children to grow and enjoy. Runner beans will also be grown over a green canopy, while Corylus avellanawill provide foraging opportunities.Key planting includes bamboo, which is used in the dome construction, as well as forming tunnels and dens. Sensory nectar-rich plants for pollinators such as Lavandulaand Alliumprovidesfood for wildlifewhile child-friendly plants includingsunflowersandsnapdragons will intrigue and engage children.