Life Cycle Garden - wins a Gold medal at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

photographs by Melanie Hawes

Life Cycle Garden - in process

After playing around with a few different designs we have chosen to go with the idea that gradually the arches will decay in form. Where the two sides cross over, the left hand side of the arch (on the outside of the path) will gradually fall towards the ground. We will place one side of the arch in front of the sleeper and the other side behind. We have bent steel rod as as fully sized template for each individual arch and also to act possibly as a center to the arch if we find that the cooper needs extra stability.

London Wildlife Trust's - Life Cycle Garden

This year the London Wildlife are showing there Life Cycle Garden at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show. It is a sustainable garden that explores the natural cycles that are essential to successful wildlife and climate friendly gardening.  It is a place where everyday objects come to life and all the stages in plant life cycles are celebrate, including death and decay. 

The design illustrates chronological cycles of life, and emphasis the fundamental importance of sustainability. It finds new uses for material that have been discarded, reclaiming and recycling them into wildlife and climate friendly habitats. 

The garden supports the London Wildlife Trust's Garden for a Living London Campaign, which highlights the importance of the capital's gardens for wildlife and people. In urban areas especially, gardens will help reduce the impacts of climate change.

The Life Cycle garden design by Elaine Hughes

Together with Owen Hodgkinson we will be designing and making a trellis for the garden, to act as sculpture feature physically representing the cycle and decay of the life cycle, a light feature and a plant support.

London Wildlife Trust: www.wild.london.org.uk

Living London Campaigne: www.wild.london.org.uk/gardening

Centre for Wildlife Gardening: 28 Marsden Road, Peckham, London, SE15 4EE