Created by garden designer Charlie Hartigan of Envisage Gardens, 1 in 10 garden at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show 2019 was designed as part of the RHS Young Designer of the Year competition.
Welcome sensory distraction is a theme throughout the garden; gentle water feature, soft rustling grasses and smooth paving. Plants for wildlife, many of them fragrant, including dwarf Eucalyptus, lavender, thyme and roses are thought to have restorative or energising properties. The chocolate-scented Cornus ‘ Chocamocca’ is for fun!
Sited at the end of a longer garden, a straight path draws your eye through the sunken garden room, past the statue and out to the fields beyond. This healing garden contains ‘zones’ to suit your mood; a sun-baked terrace and a cool woodland garden. The woodland garden provides a range of different sensory experiences; damp scents and cool shade which could be more restful than sitting in the baking sun.
“Surrounded by the trees, in the sun or shade. The sensation of the wind on my face, the sound of the water. Just being on my own without any pressure; it’s so healing. When I saw that the majority of people who attend RHS shows are women, I realised that this could be a platform to reach women suffering from Endometriosis; a condition they may never have heard of," explains Charlie.
A bespoke sculpture, created by Laura Jane Wylder, another young female designer. Astrid is a focal point to encourage the visitor to explore the garden but she is also intended to inspire the garden user; invoking a sense of freedom, energy and being comfortable in your own body.
A series of walls create a sense of enclosure - a safe place - and draws the eye through. A tall wall caps off the ‘garden room’ and is decorated as you might an interior feature wall. Soft furnishings make the space inviting.
A subtle feature on the terrace is a decorative pot of peppermint Mentha x piperita. Peppermint tea can be helpful in managing the IBS or digestive discomfort that can accompany Endometriosis. Homegrown peppermint is stronger than tea bags, and you always have it in stock!
A sunken terrace is accessed by one of two short slopes. In Charlie’s experience, someone suffering from severe pelvic pain may find steps difficult to negotiate. The sunken terrace is large enough to seat just a few people as this garden is designed primarily to be used on a solitary basis. Someone with Endometriosis may only have enough energy to host a few people for short periods of time.
The bath is both functional and representative. Water-based heat, well known to induce relaxation and alleviate pain, but also acts as a reminder of what the garden is about taking time to look after yourself, surrounded by the perceived natural environment to aid rest and recovery.
Significant Trees and Shrubs:
Woodland Area:
Sunny Border: