The Life-Force Garden
Designed by Kim O’Brien, awarded Gold
Hollow dahlia stems and the movement of water through them provides inspiration for the life-force garden design, drawing parallels between plant systems and human blood vessels and tissues.
The design is layered on four overlapping Fibonacci spirals, found abundantly throughout the human body and in nature. Here the four spirals represent plants and nature; mind; body; spirit and the deep connections between them.
The garden features a hexagonal sculpture and circular pond reminiscent of cell structure and blood vessels; a spirit sculpture; a life-force water feature; an area to contemplate and refresh; and considered structural planting punctuated by dahlias and other
A short and challenging ‘mindfulness path’ actively slows the visitor with a gentle obstacle of driftwood ‘ribs’ to step over; allowing a worry to leave with each step and rapidly narrowing to accentuate the change of pace and the sudden ‘stop’. The senses are stimulated by fragrant planting to touch and increase well-being. The short path ends with a rustic tree seat, purposefully low to immerse the visitor into an almost ground-level depth of experience for contemplation near the sound of the water feature, or to use as a step up for an elevated overview of the space.
Designed with the ecosystem in mind, the garden features planting for pollinators; an insect hotel; a bee bath; a hedgehog haven; a shelter for small mammals and a solar-powered, self-contained water feature.
Trees, features, sculptures and statement plants are placed according to the focal points generated by the Fibonacci spirals. The tapestry of planting is laid in swathes that follow the natural flow of the spirals around the space inviting the mind to meander and find its connection to the life-force garden.
With thanks to
