Cleary Gottlieb: Time for Creativity

The garden

The average person in the UK is said to spend just over five hours a day looking at their phone. Over a year, that adds up to 1,825 hours, which is 76 days or two and a half months. Some of this screen time is unavoidable, but much of it feels inescapable. Hobbies and interests are often sidelined with the excuse of not having enough time, yet the time is there every day, waiting to be reclaimed.

This garden explores what can be achieved in an environment free from the distractions of technology. It offers a space where you can physically separate from your phone and focus on a single, enjoyable task. A walk-through glasshouse filled with books, paints, papers, fabrics and threads welcomes visitors, inviting them to choose something creative and journey through the space. At the end of a winding path, a peaceful seating area surrounded by vibrant planting awaits, where creativity, focus and time can be reclaimed.

Key plants

Trees will be the statement plants, and the planting colour scheme flows from greens and whites at the entrance, to jewel-toned hues beyond the greenhouse.

• Fagus sylvatica: selected for its versatility of form, used as hedging, multi-stem trees and dome-shaped feature shrubs. Native to the UK and attractive to insects and birds, providing seeds and shelter for the latter
• Acer campestre: chosen for its versatile form and used as both hedging and multi-stem trees. Native to the UK and attractive to ladybirds, hoverflies and birds. Flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and birds, with fruit for small mammals
• Baptisia ‘Burgundy Blast’: selected as a mid-height source of colour and structure. Attractive to butterflies and bees, with a long flowering period and a particularly floriferous habit
• Linum perenne ‘Blau Saphir’: chosen for its soft yet bright lit-from-within colour, long flowering period, abundance of flowers and delicate form
• Orlaya grandiflora: selected for its long flowering period, delicate form and attractiveness to pollinators and birds, with seeds for birds to feed on

Plants supplier: to be confirmed

Sustainability notes

Hard landscaping will be used sparingly, with pathways constructed using a permeable, UK-sourced materials to aid drainage and reduce emissions from transportation. The timber steps will be made from reclaimed sleepers and the greenhouse timber sourced in UK.

The designer – Christina Cobb

Originally from Scotland and now based in Surrey, Christina is a garden designer and project manager with seven years’ experience in the landscaping industry. She has spent the majority of her professional career working in central London and was the recipient of a 30 Under 30 award in 2021. Christina was awarded a Silver-gilt medal for her Balcony garden at RHS Chelsea in 2023.

Working predominantly on residential projects, Christina enjoys designing gardens which are as beautiful as they are practical. With a focus on quality materials and abundant planting her designs prioritise longevity and individual client needs. 

About the charity – National Literacy Trust

The National Literacy Trust empowers people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life – helping people change their life stories.

Garden legacy

The garden relocation to be confirmed.