The Core Arts Front Garden Revolution

Two urban households have removed the defining boundary between their front gardens to make one open positive space for gardening, socialising, wellbeing and environmental gain. The garden reflects Core Arts’ mission to support people experiencing mental health difficulties by promoting social inclusion and reconnecting individuals with their communities.

It’s an aspirational garden and champions the benefits plants can bring to a space, people’s lives and the wider environment. The planting is an original mix of native hedging, flowering fruit trees, interesting perennials, evergreen grasses and wildflowers inspired by the local landscape. Soft grasses rub along with architectural planting, and tones of steely grey, silver, blue and white predominate.

The hard landscaping has been replaced with a permeable surface for better environmental value. A water collection system sits within the boundary ready to overflow into a planter packed with moisture-loving plants when rainfall is heavy.