We are hugely proud to have received both a Silver-Gilt medal and the coveted Peoples Choice Award for our garden “1 in 10” in the Young Designer category at the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show 2019.

Designed by Envisage Gardens's Landscape Architect, Charlie Hartigan, as part of the RHS Young Designer of the Year competition.
Built by Envisage Gardens in-house team of Landscape Craftsmen.

Please read the plan for a greater understanding of the individual design features.

Having been given the general task of designing a “Feelgood Garden” for this competition, Charlie was researching various theories surrounding health, well-being and interaction with the landscape when she struck by the fact that being in the middle of her tree nursery was what made her “feel good”.

Charlie identified and isolated the sensations of being in a tree nursery and recreated this as a domestic garden; being surrounded by the trees, in the sun or shade, the sensation of the wind on your skin, the sound of running water; being on your own without any pressure; creating a healing space.

When Charlie saw that the majority of people who attend RHS shows are women, she realised that this could be a platform to reach women suffering from Endometriosis; a condition they may never have heard of.

This garden is based on Charlie’s own experience of Endometriosis (each individuals case is different) and is designed to raise awareness of this hidden condition in the hope that a show visitor would recognise the symptoms in themselves or somebody they know and encourage them to seek help or treatment.

Sited at the end of a longer garden, the porcelain path draws your eye through the sunken garden room, past the state of Astrid, and out to the fields beyond. This healing garden is divided into two 'zones' to suit your mood; a sun-baked terrace and a cool woodland garden.

Welcome sensory distraction is a theme throughout the garden; a gentle water feature, soft rustling grasses, and smooth paving.

The pièce de résistance was the bespoke bath in the woodland garden, designed and created by Charlie herself. This working outdoor bath ran with hot water, as an alternative to a hot tub, to provide the ultimate healing space in this therapeutic garden. The bath enjoyed open views across the fields, but was nestled into a screen of timber and plant material (you can always wear a bathing suit!).

The plants were chosen for their wildlife benefits. Many of them were fragrant, including; dwarf Eucalyptus, lavender, thyme, fennel, and roses, all of which are thought to have restful or restorative properties. A pot of Peppermint sat on the patio to make fresh peppermint tea.

Although the garden was not designed for, or on behalf of, Endometriosis UK, Charlie chose to highlight their work in her promotional campaigns in the hope that a visitor or viewer might discover the charity and make use of the services they offer.

The judges were highly complementary in their feedback. Comments included; “loved the sunken seating area… which can be difficult to achieve”, “exceptionally well resolved Client Brief”, and “enchanting Bath area”.