A Harmonious Garden: Connecting Zen, Botanical Heritage, and Creativity in Kent
Our garden always felt very special to me. It’s like it was trying to tell me something, and this year I finally heard it.
The Art Studio, January 2025
I am creating a space that will be telling our stories. Place where we honour heritage, nature, cultures and creativity, where they all meet and dance in harmony.
By combining British Botanical Heritage with Japanese philosophy and love for sustainable living, I believe, it will become magical and truly special place.
Check out my new YouTube video about it!
The Tea House: The Heart of the Garden
The tea house, nestled on the edge of our pond, is the centrepiece of the garden. When we were beginning its design it was important for me to follow all the rules of traditional tea house, but also make it my own.
Around it, I will be putting in the plants with soothing hues of blue and green, such as native Bluebells, create a serene environment. But also some mints and flowers like Chamomile to use when making tea.
Just imagine having a cup of tea, while looking at the pond and listening to the sound of the waterfall and the wind playing with bamboo leaves, sound of the wind chimes… Magical.
Architect’s drawing of the future Tea House
Zones of Purpose and Colour
Using a Feng Shui compass as my guide, I divided the garden into zones, each radiating a specific energy and purpose.
Every zone in the garden is enhanced with plants reflecting its Feng Shui color and energy:
North (Water): Around the tea house and pond, I’ve incorporated some blue and black tones with plants like Bluebells and water reflections.
South (Fire): Or as we now used to call it “The Red Zone”. It has literally got a fire there with some seats to relax, surrounded by azaleas, rhododendrons and acres. The wildflower meadow starts here and it bursts with warm reds and oranges, featuring plants like Red Campion.
East (Wood): The old oak woodlands lush greenery embodies growth and renewal. And I’m planning on enriching that area with even more trees.
West (Metal): White flowers, such as Yarrow will bring clarity and light to the meadow. And wild garlic field blooming in the spring.
These colours not only enhance the garden’s aesthetic but also create a sense of balance and harmony.
The Wildflower Meadow: A Celebration of Biodiversity
Surrounding the art studio, I’ve planned a vibrant wildflower meadow, bursting with life and creativity. This area reflects the energy of artistic expression and freedom, with colorful blooms like Cowslips, Meadow Buttercups, Yarrow, and even the rare Bee Orchid. These native wildflowers are not just beautiful, they play a crucial role in supporting pollinators, from bees to butterflies.
This meadow is a space where nature and art meet. It complements the Doodle River that will be flowing through it to the studio, inviting you to pause and appreciate the beauty of wild, untamed growth.
The Woodland: A Sanctuary of Heritage
To the right of the studio, a woodland that offers a space for reflection and connection to the past. Inspired by ancient English forests, this area will feature Bluebells, Foxgloves, Primroses, and the unique Snake’s Head Fritillary. I will be slowly growing and expanding this area, by sowing some seeds each year in the green house.
Also will add some Hawthorn and Guelder-Rose to create more varieties of heights, colours and depth in the landscape, providing habitats for birds and other wildlife.
These plants evoke the charm of traditional woodlands and carry stories of folklore and history.
The Productive Garden: Food, Sustainability, and Legacy
Around the house, the focus shifts to food production and sustainability. Vegetable patches thrive alongside rows of heritage fruit trees, such as Egremont Russet Apples, Conference Pears, and the ancient Medlar tree. These varieties are a tribute to Kent’s legacy as the Garden of England, blending productivity with tradition.
The conservatory now serves as a greenhouse, extending the growing season and enabling me to cultivate unique heritage vegetables like Good King Henry and Skirret. This area is not only practical but also deeply rooted in the history of self-sufficient gardening.
This year the Kitchen Garden will expand all around the house
A Garden of Connection
This garden is my way of connecting with the past, present, and future. It’s a space where Japanese tranquility meets British heritage, where creativity blooms in the wild meadow, and where sustainability takes root in the productive garden. It’s a living story, one that I’m excited to share with you.
What’s Your Garden Story?
Every garden has a story to tell. What’s yours? I’d love to hear your ideas and inspirations. Let’s celebrate the beauty of nature, heritage, and creativity together.
Love,
Alena
