Wuhan Water Garden, China

Did you know...

• The glade of four Decaisnea fargesii, known as dead man's fingers because of its blue finger-like fruits, were a favourite of Patrick Collins, one of the designers.The multi-stemmed trees featured green, delicate nodding flowers and were underplanted with pink Cypripedium orchids
• Colourful artwork blended in with the planting to represent the vibrancy of the city of Wuhan
• Water was cleverly used throughout, from the playful fountain to the stylised streams and subtle woodland springs, to represent how the ancient city of Wuhan has managed to control the flood waters of the Yangtze River

About the garden

Designed to be walked around and viewed from all sides, the Wuhan Water Garden conveyed a journey through the contrasting natural landscape of Hubei Province, including the UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Hubei’s Shennongjia Foresty District, and the hi-tech, urban environment of the city. The garden was inspired by the historic ability of Wuhan – China’s ‘City of 100 Lakes’ – to manage and control the flood waters of the Yangtze River.

The garden aroused all the senses of visitors, from the feeling of ‘floating’ on the walkway and the smell of the forest, to the sounds of birdsong and trickling water. The stylised ‘forest’ landscape surrounding the central lake represented the forests that once covered much of Hubei province. The garden included Betula albosinensis, Acer griseum, A. davidii and Cornus controversa, and a shrub understorey including Ilex crenata and Elaeagnus umbellata.