The Blessings from the Sea

The garden

The garden offers a contemporary interpretation of this landscape through dune and coastal planting, a traditional doksal and a sustainably built pavilion inspired by the Korean hanok. Together, these elements introduce a distinctive Korean landscape to British audiences and convey a powerful message of resilience, respect for nature and finding blessings even in the most challenging environments. 

American born Carl Ferris Miller, a self described “blue eyed Korean,” devoted his life to transforming harsh coastal land into a “Green Miracle,” a philosophy that underpins the garden’s design. 

This message is expressed through the reinterpretation of the doksal, a traditional stone fish trap symbolising harmony with natural tides. The creative use of sustainable materials, including roof tiles made from 176 recycled safety helmets and mother-of-pearl accents from waste seashells add to the story and the garden’s green credentials. The design reinforces the idea that even the harshest environments can become a blessing through care, conservation and respect for nature. 

The planting

The planting design focuses on wind and salt tolerant species that evoke coastal dunes, shelterbelts and seasonal interest, complemented by companion plants that naturally associate with coastal dune vegetation. While inspired by Chollipo Arboretum, the palette is adapted to local growing conditions at the exhibition site. 

Key coastal species: 

• Pinus nigra is used as a substitute for Pinus thunbergii, the iconic “guardian” pine of Chollipo Arboretum, to recreate its protective presence and symbolism while being better suited to the local climate
• Rosa rugosa – a hardy seaside shrub thriving in sandy, saline conditions, producing vivid red blooms that symbolise resilience and vitality in harsh coastal environments
• Camellia japonica – an iconic shrub of the Taean coastal region and a key species in Chollipo Arboretum collection, thriving in acidic soils. Its deep red blooms, emerging resiliently against harsh coastal winds and poor conditions, bring a striking sense of vitality to the garden 
• Elymus mollis – a representative dune grass of Korea’s West coast, characterised by its wind-responsive movement and coarse, sandy texture, vividly expressing the dynamic qualities of coastal dune landscapes
• Magnolia ‘Elisa Odenwald’ – representing Chollipo Arboretum’s world-renowned magnolia collection and the founder’s lifelong passion 

The garden features approximately 1,332 individual plants, supplied by Hortus Loci, chosen for their expertise in sourcing high quality, well established specimens. 

Sustainability

Sustainability is integral to the garden’s design. All plants and structural components are designed for reuse and will be relocated after the show to Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, a meaningful destination given the historic friendship and plant exchange between Sir Harold Hillier and Carl Ferris Miller.  

The garden showcases an array of sustainable building methods and materials, including: 

• Recycled ‘Giwa’ (roof tiles): fabricated from discarded safety helmets from construction sites 
• Dry stone wall: built without mortar using traditional techniques, allowing stones to be fully reused or returned to nature
• Mother-of-pearl accents: created from waste seashells, turning marine debris into art
• Climate adapted planting: the planting design draws on resilient coastal species adapted to wind and saline conditions, helping to reduce irrigation and long-term maintenance
• Rainwater is collected from the pavilion roof and guided along reused H-beams into an ecological rain garden, where it is recirculated to a water channel, creating movement and sensory interest while demonstrating rainwater reuse as both a functional and experiential landscape feature

The designers – Hee-hyeok Kang, Jaeheon Kim and Eun Kyung Jung

Hee-hyeok Kang, Jaeheon Kim and Eun Kyung Jung are all gardeners and garden designers at Chollipo Arboretum in South Korea. Named the Country’s First Private Arboretum (1970) and selected as one of ‘the best tourist attractions in Korea’ by Korea Rural Community Corporation (2010), it’s located at the edge of the Taean Peninsula and covers an area of 58ha, including the small islet Nangsaeseom.

Eun Kyung Jung says, “Designing a show garden is a valuable opportunity to learn in a professional, structured setting. Although early in my career, I wanted to challenge myself and embrace the learning process. Early encouragement from a potential sponsor gave me confidence to begin, and even though the partnership did not continue, it strengthened my determination to complete the project.” 

Kim JaeHeon says, “Bringing the unique environment of Korea’s West Coast to the RHS Malvern Spring Festival offers a meaningful opportunity to connect with the British gardening community. This project translates regional coastal landscapes into a contemporary garden design while sharing Korean perspectives on nature and place-making with an international audience. More than just a showcase, it creates a platform for exchanging ecological insights and exploring how different cultures understand and respond to their natural environments through the shared language of gardening.” 

Hee-hyeok Kang says, “I wanted to introduce Chollipo Arboretum to the RHS Malvern Spring Festival as a place where Korean heritage meets the legacy of Carl Ferris Miller. The project highlights Korea’s west coast environment and the value of the traditional Korean architecture, ‘Hanok,’ that the founder devoted his life to preserving at Chollipo Arboretum.”