'Reflection' a garden on the path of mental health

Hi, my name is Laura, I am an RHS and Garden Design student at Capel Manor and this year I have been accepted to show my design at Gardener's World Live 2023 in the Beautiful Borders Competition.

Over the last two years, I have struggled with mental health, recently being diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. With this border, I would like to show what that journey through life with mental health looked like for me.

The brief was to create a 'Garden Escape' and all I could think about was how gardening for me was my escape from the everyday world. My border is called 'Reflection', I feel it is important to reflect on the journey I have taken to be here and take part in the flower show.

The Design

I wanted the border to create emotion and feeling so have kept the elements simple. At the centre of the border stands two parallel large hedges fixed at a diagonal. At the opening of the hedge sits a water bowl filled with water which in turn reflects all areas of the design, depending on the angle you look into it will determine the "memory" that it will evoke. The planting is where the real emotion comes into focus. Towards the narrow opening of the hedge, the plants are void of colour, they are green with coarse or spiky foliage, as you go closer to the water bowl the plants become more vibrant, some with soft or scented foliage. This border highlights my feelings that no matter how dark it was inside my head, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to keep going.

Could you help me reach my target of £1000? I would be very grateful for the support you could give!

All funds raised not used towards the garden will go to Perennial, a charity that helps people working and studying in horticulture, as well as any funds made through plant sales from my border at the show.

All plants will live on after the show in a garden in South East London.