Nurture Nature – Nature Nurtures

The border 

Designed with sustainable planting, wildlife and climate change in mind, this sunny border is a visual reminder that nature nurtures all living things.

Visitors encounter a highly fragrant and texture-rich space where the strong pinks and purples of species like Hylotelephium telephium ‘Purple Emperor’ are balanced by softer, harmonious tones. Edibles and medicinal plants are artfully interwoven with ornamental blooms and wildlife representations, including hand woven willow swallows. Three handcrafted spheres symbolise the pillars of sustainability – environmental, social and economic – and recycled materials have been repurposed to provide sipping saucers and a wildlife retreat for hedgehogs, other small mammals, insects and birds.

By prioritising perennial planting and seed propagation, this garden offers a response to our consumer-driven society. Instead of relying on annuals, where the production process can turn plants into single-use commodities, the border emphasises perennial planting to support long-term sustainability and provide a restorative environment for people and wildlife.

About the designer 
– Sarah McLean-Barr

Sarah grew up in the countryside and has always had a passion for nature and the environment. She studied organic gardening and the principles of permaculture at Ryton Gardens, Warwickshire and the RHS Diploma in Horticulture at Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire. For the last 15 years she has been helping clients move towards creating more sustainable and biodiverse spaces, big or small, from balconies to walled gardens, manicured new builds to woodlands, or courtyards to meadows. The message is clear – “sustainability has never been so important. We need to think about long‑term viability, not just tomorrow.”

The garden legacy

The garden is to be relocated to Alban Hill Nurseries, Buckinghamshire, where a week-long event, ‘The Sandringham Experience,’ will welcome visitors who were unable to attend the show.