YoungMinds Garden

The garden

Plant diversity throughout the garden mirrors the range of experiences young people bring to the space. Characterful weeping conifers create a dappled canopy, beneath which a rich planting palette thrives. Stepping pads, crafted from waste stone, form a pathway leading young gardeners to the heart of the garden. Yellow-flowered plants, symbols of light and hope, have naturalised in the cracks of weathered boulders. A habitat wall, built from stone offcuts, frames the garden, offering a sense of enclosure while championing an ecological approach to design.

Inspired by the designer’s own journey through mental health challenges in youth, shaped by grief, the garden reflects the healing power of plants. It invites visitors to consider how we can nurture environments where young people truly thrive.

Key plants

Yellow flowering plants are a subtle reference to the YoungMinds brand and the light and hope that the colour represents.

• Cedrus deodara ‘Pendula’ incredible characterful Cedars representing the non-linear nature of healing

• Nothofagus antarctica: for the delicate shade it casts

• Broussonetia papyrifer: for drought tolerance and the generous canopy it can form

• Aralia chapensis: for its architectural form and adaptability

• Bergenia cordifolia: a resilient, underappreciated plant full of character

Plants supplier: How Green Nursery, Crug Farm Plants, Zophian Plants, Exchange Erith, Bright Green Fox, Cally Gardens, Special Plants Nursery, Plantbase and Leahurst Nurseries

Sustainability notes

Material sourcing has been kept highly localised to minimise carbon footprint. Each element, from boulder to waste stone to aggregate, is all from a local quarry to Chelsea – Gallaghers.

The designer – Charlie Chase

Charlie is known for transforming outdoor spaces with rare and lesser-known plants. His approach focuses on botanical travel, biodiversity and upcycling, while celebrating the connection between people and gardens. Founder of Chase Gardens, Charlie brings over a decade of experience in the UK and internationally, including work at Great Dixter, Prospect Cottage and the Garden Museum. He has designed more than 80 gardens, with features in Gardens Illustrated and Architectural Digest.

Charlie has also contributed to award-winning RHS Chelsea show gardens such as The Garden of Potential (Silver-gilt), The Trailfinders Garden (Gold), and The Size of Wales Garden (Gold and Best in Category).

About the charity – YoungMinds

YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people. They focus on empowering both youth and their carers with support, resources and advocacy so that no young person feels alone with their mental health.

Garden legacy

The garden will be relocated to a new community garden in London’s most socio-economically deprived area of Newham. After relocation Chase Gardens will work with youth groups to transform the site into an ecological productive space for the community and promote biodiversity for urban pollinators and wider wildlife to thrive.