Guangzhou China: Guangzhou Garden

The garden highlights the benefits of responsible city planning and how planners must work in harmony with nature to better connect people with the natural world. Climate change, the growth of mega cities and potential mass extinction of species requires a re-evaluation of planning policy.

Inspired by the holistic landscape stewardship programme of environmental planners in Guangzhou, China, the garden features a woodland dell for cleaner air, a pool of water and shelters – the latter a social space for people to gather and homes for wildlife.

Characterful trees and shrubs including the dawn redwood, Scots pine, field maple and birch make up the woodland edge to capture particulate matter. Sedges, euphorbia and ferns provide a horizontal carpet punctuated with accent plants such as Rodgersia and Angelica, which help to clean water and air. The effect is an elegant and graceful drifting wave of green foliage, dotted with frothy perennials, in soft hues of white, blue and yellow.