The Transient Garden

The garden

The Transient Garden demonstrates practical and achievable ideas for creating a relaxing balcony garden within a compact space. It showcases realistic methods of space saving that maximise both comfort and greenery. The theme centres on flexibility and adaptability, reflecting the increasingly temporary and mobile nature of modern living. All elements are modular, lightweight and designed to be moved by two people, allowing the layout to be easily reconfigured.

Visitors can expect to see container planting, folding furniture and vertical structures that add height and interest without overwhelming the space. Inspiration is drawn from the ephemeral qualities of nature’s shifting light, changing seasons and the way nature continually evolves and renews itself. The Transient Garden offers a calm and functional retreat, demonstrating how small, impermanent spaces can provide lasting wellbeing and a sense of connection to the natural world.

Key plants

The colour scheme of oranges, purples and white has been chosen to compliment the greys and blues, most commonly seen from a city balcony. The planting has been chosen with resilience to an urban climate in mind.

• Armeria maritima ‘Morning Star White’
• Calamagrostis ‘Glenorchy Fireworks’
• Cornus kousa ‘Cappuccino’
• Eriobotrya japonica
• Eschscholzia californica ‘Orange King’

Plants supplier: to be confirmed

Sustainability notes

The planters are made of lightweight material with false bases to reduce soil and water weight. This is helpful when considering structural weight limits on terraces or balconies but also is a key feature in the concept of the design. Featured reclaimed hardscaping and boundary materials for the build that will be effectively used in the relocation of the garden. Using peat-free planting mediums with expanded aggregate and soil mix, to retain water and support plant growth.

The designer – Rebecca Lloyd Jones

Rebecca is a designer with a passion for sustainable and biodiverse landscapes. With a background in horticulture and an RHS Level 2 qualification, she graduated with distinction from the Garden Design Diploma at KLC School of Design in 2023. Now working with Garden Club London, Rebecca designs imaginative urban gardens that balance beauty with ecological value. In 2024, her garden Chalk on the Wild Side received a Special Commendation at the Society of Garden Designers Awards.

About the sponsor – Hamptons

Hamptons has been matching people with property that’s right for them, locally, nationally and internationally, since 1869. They were pioneers, setting standards that few of their rivals could match. And this hasn’t changed since. Today, over 157 years after they first set up home in Pall Mall, with 15 decades of finding property and looking after people under their belt, their clients now consider them to be their ‘home experts’.

Garden legacy

The garden will be relocated to a community space. Details to follow.