Community Cubes

Designed by Mike Long Gardens and Tom Rollett working with Papillon Project
 
This garden tells the story of transformation. Inspired by the butterfly lifecycle, it reflects how young people can grow in confidence, wellbeing and purpose through the simple act of cultivating plants. At the centre stands the Papillon Tree, a nearly three-metre high sculpture made from reclaimed timber. Like the students who inspired this garden, the materials have been reshaped and given new life.

As you walk around the garden, notice how the planting evolves, from early growth to mature plants supported by vertical structures. Hidden among the foliage are caterpillars, cocoons and butterflies, marking the stages of transformation. Some butterflies carry the voices of the students themselves. Scan a QR code to hear their stories. This garden celebrates the idea that with care, opportunity and patience, both people and plants can flourish. 

Designed by Bea Tann working with Norfolk WildlifeTrust

Join Norfolk Wildlife Trust to celebrate 100 years of protecting wildlife, with a garden that promises to motivate you to ‘Do one thing for wildlife’ in your own green space. Featuring hedgehog highways, recycled planters and native flowers aplenty, the garden will showcase easy ways to welcome wildlife into a relaxing and low maintenance space. Be inspired to let a corner of your garden grow wild, learn how to use reclaimed materials to create unique interest, and discover a range of plants that both look beautiful and benefit our wonderful wildlife.

Designed by Chloe Erskine working with RNLI

The garden represents a coastal dune landscape, centred around the RNLI’s red and yellow flags of the Lifeguard service. Sculpted sand dunes are planted with coastal grasses and flowering perennials, designed for peak interest in July. A rain curtain introduces movement and sound, referencing sea spray and water. A timber fingerpost points to beaches across the UK, highlighting the RNLI’s national presence. The planting is vibrant yet coastal in character, reflecting both the landscape and the energy of RNLI volunteers.

Designed by Rajul Shah working with Vision Norfolk

This joyful cube aims to raise awareness of sight loss and demonstrate how people living with visual impairment can find enjoyment and fulfilment through gardens. The asymmetrical yet balanced design reflects the imperfect beauty of the human face, while its shapes and colours mimic the microscopic anatomy of the human eye.
To ensure everyone can appreciate the space, all the senses are engaged. The planting scheme offers interesting textures, strong scents and movement that creates sound, while culinary herbs provide an element of taste. The striking flower structures of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) and Echinacea pallida echo the form of a human eye.

Designed by Kate Thomson working with Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association

From the Women’s Land Army to today’s female growers, stock keepers, horticulturists and agricultural leaders, women have shaped the past, present and future of British farming. Their stories are brought to life in this celebratory garden, starting with the profound impact of the thousands of Land Girls who lived, trained and worked on the Sandringham Estate during wartime.

The design creates a circular journey that guides visitors through four interconnected areas: a cut-flower garden, a vegetable and fruit garden, a farmyard and a farmhouse door. Each space recognises the women’s legacy in Norfolk’s fields and farmyards, offering a glimpse of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association’s contribution to the local agricultural heritage.

Designed by Amber Jacklin and Mandy Holmes

A reflection of the Colchester Wellbeing Garden created by Adam Frost through an RHS partnership with the NHS, this peaceful cube is intended as a guide for wellbeing-focussed planting.

A pond representing the lake beside the hospital garden attracts a wealth of wildlife. Mosaics created by patients, staff and volunteers emphasise the involvement of the community at the heart of the space. Sensory planting includes perennials with medicinal properties and Rosa ‘Catherine’s Rose’, which was planted at the hospital by the Princess of Wales herself. Inspired by the volunteers who care for the Colchester Hospital Wellbeing Garden, this tranquil sanctuary shows how connecting with nature can reduce stress and anxiety.