London Square Community Garden
RHS Chelsea Flower Show Sanctuary Garden
May 2023
GOLD MEDAL
James was delighted to be back at Chelsea Flower Show in May 2023 with experienced developer London Square in the Sanctuary garden category with a garden 12x6m.
About the garden:
The story behind this garden began at a London-wide Open Gardens Weekend where event sponsors London Square
were inspired by the volunteers on the Doddington estate in Battersea, who had created a half-acre community garden
using donated trees, shrubs, perennials and edibles – a green oasis tucked between the tower blocks.
Bringing together a community is the thread running through this garden, where people can meet, relax, share food and connect with nature. Two distinct areas combine to make this happen.
There’s a welcoming meeting space under a pergola with an outdoor kitchen, a big communal table inset with chess and draughts boards and individually styled upcycled chairs by The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades furniture restorers, with raised beds containing edible herbs and vegetables for cooking, all grown by Jon Wheatley and Terry Porter.
In a peaceful planted area, a large swing seat in dappled shade is an idyllic spot to chat or daydream or read a book from the garden bookcase. Planting here is lush and green with a sprinkling of flowering species and more sun loving plants towards the front of the garden.
In a loop back to its inception, after the show elements of the London Square Community Garden will be relocated to the Doddington & Rollo Community Roof Garden in Battersea, reflecting London Square’s commitment to promoting green spaces for local communities. In fact many volunteers from the roof garden helped with the implementation of the planting during the build process and this made the garden all the more special.
The Landscaping Consultants who have significant experience building award winning gardens at Chelsea constructed the the garden and we were delighted to achieve a Gold Medal together. This was my first time being judged on a show garden making it all the more special.
Sponsor - London Square Developments
Contractor - The Landscaping Consultants
Garden Landscaping in Guildford, Horsham & Kingston | The Landscaping Consultants
Doddington & Rollo Roof Garden - Doddington and Rollo Community Roof Garden – A free community space for the residents and community to enjoy. (drgardens.org)
Planting - Hortus Loci
Wholesale plant nursery - Hortus Loci - homepageHortus Loci | The garden places
Trees - Deepdale Trees
Home - Deepdale Trees (deepdale-trees.co.uk)
Swing Seat - Gaze Burvill
Gaze Burvill | Luxury Garden Furniture | Oak Outdoor Furniture
Lighting - Landscape Plus
Joinery - Alan Hayward Joinery
Alan Hayward Joinery Ltd (alan-hayward.co.uk)
Paving - Johnsons Wellfield
Johnsons Wellfield - Britain's Leading Supplier of Hard Yorkstone (johnsons-wellfield.co.uk)
Dining Table - Diespeker
Diespeker & Co | Terrazzo, marble, granite and stone suppliers London -
Feature Chairs - Jay & Co
Produce Planting
Jon Wheatley & Terry Porter
Award Winning Gardens in Bristol & Bath - Stonebarn Landscapes
Metal work - Surrey Ironcraft
Plant List
Alchemilla epipsila
Amsonia tabernaemontana salic
Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing'
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Greenapples'
Asarum europaeum
Asplenium scolopendrium
Asplenium trichomanes
Astrantia Roma
Baptisia 'Sparkling Sapphires'
Baptisia 'Vanilla Cream'
Brunnera macrophylla 'Betty Bowring'
Carex morrowii irish green
Carex divulsa
Centaurea montana Grandiflora
Centranthus ruber Albus
Cyrtomium falcatum
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau'
Dicentra formosa Aurora
Dryopteris affinis
Epimedium rubrum Galadriel
Erigeron karvinskianus
Frageria vesca
Gaura lindheimeri
Geranium Johnsons blue
Geranium phaeum 'Album'
Gilenia trifoliata
Hakonechola macra
Hosta Devon Green
Hosta Halcyon
Kirengeshoma palmata
Mahonia soft caress
Nepeta neptune
Pachysandra terminalis
Paeonia lactiflora 'Duchesse de Nemours'
Piminella major 'Rosea'
Polypodium vulgare
Polystichum aculeatum
Polystichum setiferum
Polystichum tsussimense
Polytichum polyblepharum
Sagina subulata
Salvia chamaedryoides
Salvia 'Nachtvlinder'
Sarcococca confusa
Seslaria nitida
Stipa tenuissima
Thalictrum 'Nimbus White'
Thymus serpyllum Magic Carpet
Thymus vulgaris Compactus
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Trees
Amelanchier lamarckii
Cornus kousa Chinensis
Malus Toringo
Magolia sieboldii
Hedging
Carpinus betulus
Pond Plants
Iris versicolor
Juncus effusus
Baldellia ranunculoides
Hippuris vulgaris
Salvinia Natans floating aquatic
Aponogeton Distachyos
Produce
Mixed Herbs & Vegetables
Kohl rabi
Beetroot
Kale
Chard
Parsley
Oregano
Lavender
Carrots
Mustard
Chocolate mint
Lemon verbena
Mixed Thyme
Curry plant
Rosemary
Sage
Viola
Salad leaves