The Addleshaw Goddard: Freedom To Flourish Garden
Capturing the natural movement of water to create an island oasis, and a space of calm amongst the turbulence of everyday life, the garden sets its face against the ruthless and rising tide of ‘being too busy’. Through its design and planting, it embodies the Norfolk colloquialism ‘slow you down’, advocating for a moment of patience and stillness.
The light, fresh and sandy palette for the garden is reminiscent of north Norfolk’s salt marsh landscapes, with naturalistic planting and slowly rising water that makes visitors want to stay longer than planned. Gabions filled with layered materials from flint boulders to dried marsh grasses depict the eroding coastal cliffs, while reclaimed sheet pile steel walling and simple timber platforms represent mankind’s efforts to intervene in nature. But the slow rising water feature has other ideas. It cuts off access to the garden, while the discreet and overplanted exit path makes it hard to find a way out.
Planting
Sandy tones lay a foundation of peaceful colour while naturalistic and harmonious plant combinations accentuate more delicate textural flowers. The multi-stemmed seven son flower tree (Heptacodium miconioides) in particular represents a saltmarsh colour palette. Interspersed grasses and willow form a soft textural bed from which the foxgloves and asphodel punctuate with delicate tones of terracotta and violet. Wildflowers have naturalised forming unplanned and informal displays.
