The Wildlife Trusts LUSH Garden

Description and Design Philosophy

Sited on a gentle slope, the Wildlife Trusts Lush Garden nestles softly into a mature landscape of orchard and wildflower meadow. Inspiration has been drawn from the Dry Garden at RHS Hyde Hall, with the theme of sustainability in mind. Careful consideration has been made to help protect the scarce and valuable resources of our planet.

With biodiversity in mind the garden is a creation of diverse habitats: decaying logs, tree stumps and of particular interest the rootarium arch, and hibernaculum wall, which provide shelter, hibernation quarters and homes for Butterflies, Moths, Insects, Amphibians, Reptiles, Mammals, and Birds.

A path of gravel with steps edged in stone winds its way past a burbling stream, a pool of clear water naturalised with Reeds and Iris, a curved garden seat and swathes of floriferous pink and blue planting, chosen for both its summer nectar and winter seed.

Passing the pool the path leads on, to a traditional garden building built entirely from FSC approved cedar, complete with a tumbling green roof of Sedum. The building provides a haven of rest for the visitor and displays many energy saving features and a place to learn about plants and creatures in the garden.

Past the garden building a small meadow of flowering grasses and wild flowers sway, a Stag Beetle stump leads on and under the Rootarium arch. Formed using approved architectural driftwood stumps blending into a planted and naturalised Hibernaculum wall. An old fruit tree supports climbing Roses and carefully placed bird nesting boxes. Finally by the garden gate a composting enclosure is placed to help recycle the gardens waste.