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Jo Gardens
The MITIE Garden
Designer: Jo Penn (Jo Gardens)
Sponsor: MITIE Group plc
Contractors: Tom Salter
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The garden designer, Jo Penn, says that The MITIE Garden is for our changing climate. The inspiration for this garden came from family holidays in the Scilly Isles and Cornwall, where frost-tender species such as agapanthus, aeoniums and succulents flourish in the milder climate of the rugged coastline. Jo says that one effect of global warming is that such plants will grow in northern climes, so she wanted to experiment with a design that would work in other parts of the British Isles, including city centres, in years to come.
The MITIE Garden is a compact and sustainable urban space planted with continued global warming in mind. The chic and contemporary style of the garden includes strong crisp lines - whitewashed walls, slate, glass, metal and timber that are softened by the echoing curves of the design and informal planting.
Movement and energy is brought into the garden with a striking recycled glass tiled water rill, which curves through the front of the garden. Set with bespoke ceramic fish, which can be glimpsed through the gentle stream of water, the rill flows from a raised pool to a sunken pool and fernery. A soft screen of papyrus reed follows the curve of the rill and offers a transparent sense of enclosure when viewed from the hardwood deck.
A custom-made timber seat placed next to the raised pool provides a tranquil and secluded place to sit and view the garden. Sculpture created by Alison Edwards, a ceramic artist, picks out the colours and textures that are reflected in the garden.
Succulents such as aeoniums, echeverias and agaves play a key role in the garden - providing interesting textures, structure and formality at the front. Agapanthus bring a touch of blue, creating an attractive backdrop against the varied tones of evergreen foliage and whitewashed walls. The basis of the planting scheme is drought-tolerant plants from the Mediterranean, Mexico and South Africa. Not only are they suited to a drier climate, but they also mean the garden requires less water - a key conservation element.
Just a year ago, Jo was working round the clock to complete her final project for an HNC course in garden design at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff (UWIC). She never dreamt that 12 months later she would be showing her work at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.