The site lies in a small mountain town. Along its northern edge, a natural slope carved out during land development remains exposed, now overgrown with wild vegetation and supporting a modest ecosystem. Subtle shifts in the site's topography suggest a faint continuity with the distant fields and village landscape.
one of Earth's oldest plants, redolent of nature's fragility and resilience, its slow rhythms, and the beauty of quiet, simple things. "We planted several horizontally arranged fern barriers to keep the moss from washing down the slope. Drip irrigation is very helpful because it delivers water directly to the soil without runoff," the artist advises, adding, "It takes time to get it right, but once a moss garden is established, it is famously low maintenance."
This is not an allotment, this is a show garden worthy of the Chelsea Flower Show, I thought to myself as I entered through a hidden gate in Barnet, north London. A sweeping tunnel of more than 100 fruit and flower trees led temptingly towards more secrets and surprises tucked away in Steve Mills' plot, which he has been tending to for 14 years.
"Water is a great way to bring the sky down into a garden and increase the sense of space," says garden designer Helen Elks-Smith. "Still water creates an incredible surface reflecting the pattern of clouds and adds another element to a space."
The Low-Impact Garden showcases a dozen exquisite private landscapes across North America, Canada, Australia, and the UK, emphasizing sustainable garden design and innovative ideas.
Leonie Cornelius reflects on her journey through burnout, emphasizing how this experience reshaped her approach to both her life and her garden designs, fostering a holistic perspective.
