The World Sanctuary Gardens at the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show promise to highlight a diverse range of planting schemes designed to offer a place of peace and sanctuary. Below we highlight a brief description of each garden. The Freedom from Torture Garden: A Sanctuary for Survivors Designed by John Warland and Emma O’Connell and sponsored by Project Giving Back, this garden (pictured banner above) is a place of sanctuary, peace and hope where horticultural therapy calms and heals survivors of torture on their journey to recovery. It is an immersive garden where the visitor can engage in ther ..read more

In March 2023, the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) launched a campaign to raise awareness of the devastating effects artificial greenery has on the environment. At the first anniversary of the campaign, a survey conducted among SGD members has shown that 90% of them would no longer specify plastic grass in their designs if they were asked to and 43% said they had received fewer requests for it from clients. Extending beyond artificial landscaping, the survey revealed that 80% of members said that their clients were now more aware of environmental and sustainability issues in general. The ca ..read more

Garden writer Susie White writes about her visit to Lowther Castle to watch the setting up of an art installation on the castle lawns. Last years’ charity fundraising event at Lowther Castle near Penrith saw an installation of 10,000 ceramic daffodils ‘planted’ against the romantic backdrop of the ruined castle. It was such a success that the Lowther Castle and Gardens Trust have commissioned a new project from County Durham based artist, Steve Messum. It’s only up for a short time so make sure you get to see the amazing sight of 500 gold flags, a sensual and visual experience in front of the ..read more

‘This is what the buzzard sees. The steep bank of wood- land in the valley below. River winding through fields of round backed sheep. A rabbit on the stony track. Bank vole hurrying to safety in the dry-stone wall. The many shapes and textures of plants in a garden. The figure of a woman straightening, shading her eyes with the back of her hand and gazing up’. Once in a while you find a book that not only touches your soul but brings with it a feeling of calm that wraps around you like a comfort blanket. In Susie White’s new book, ‘Second Nature‘, I found the perfect antidote to this stressful ..read more

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is bringing its first Urban Show to Manchester’s Mayfield Depot from 18th to 21st April, 2024, to celebrate the growing movement of urban gardeners in the city. The RHS singled out the Mayfield Depot for the indoor Show because of its enticing proximity to the new Mayfield Park, giving show visitors the chance to experience this rare gem in the heart of the city centre as well as tapping into its rich horticultural offering. Free guided park tours will be available led by the team behind the award-winning Mayfield Park and guests will be able to hear from ..read more

This year (2024) Knoll Gardens, near Wimborne, is celebrating 30 years under the ownership of Neil Lucas and his family. They bought the site in 1994 with the ambition of creating a specialist ornamental grass nursery and naturalist garden and over the last three decades have seen the four-acre garden evolve to lead the way in naturalistic gardening. Knoll is an RHS partner garden and between 2002 and 2011 exhibited at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show, each year earning a coveted ‘gold’ medal, with an outstanding 10 in total. Today, as well as catering to the public and trade, Knoll Gar ..read more

Cumbrian based Dalefoot Composts is using 21st century science to work out the environmental benefits of the traditional ingredients in its ‘old recipe’ gardening products to ascertain how well their peat-free composts store carbon. In addition to that research they are working to identify the most eco-friendly way to restore a damaged peat bog. Teaming up with the University of Cumbria, the company is investigating how much carbon is being stored by comfrey, a key ingredient in its peat-free range. Researchers are using ground penetrating radar to carry out the work on the comfrey crop (pictu ..read more

Another rich tapestry of designs and themes will showcase at the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show (21st to 25th May 2024) with organisers promising that this will be the greenest Chelsea yet. Designers will be using eco-techniques and low carbon materials as well as reducing waste at the end of the show, proving that great design and sustainability go hand in hand. Below an overview of the Show Garden category. Muscular Dystrophy UK – Forest Bathing Garden Designer Ula Maria makes her Chelsea debut with a garden for Muscular Dystrophy UK, (pictured top of page) sponsored by Project Giving Back, sh ..read more

Sandy Felton reviews this new and fascinating book to help us pick the right tree for the right place. Never has it been a more important time to plant trees. They play a vital role in the health of the natural world and us humans and they are essential life-giving plants that deliver a vast array of hidden benefits. With the advance of climate change, trees have become vital warriors for climate resilience and carbon storage. ‘The Essential Tree Selection Guide‘ – for climate resilience, carbon storage, species diversity and other ecosystem benefits – by Henrik Sjöman and Arit Anderson, could ..read more

The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) has announced Andrew Duff MSGD as its new Chair, continuing the role he has held jointly with Lynne Marcus MSGD since September 2022. As Lynne steps down from her three-year tenure, Andrew takes over the role single-handedly and will be supported by the SGD Council including John Wyer FSGD, who continues as Vice Chair and Treasurer. Andrew, a Registered Member of the Society, has been a Director on the SGD Council since January 2018, during which time he has held the positions of Member for Education, Vice Chair and Co-Chair. He has been designing gardens ..read more