Stop, Think, Change

Did you know...

• Self discipline is represented here by the colour red; this section of the garden features plants with fiery hues such as red-leaved Solenostemon, red salvias, bronze leaved Ipomea batatas and tall crocosmia 'Lucifer'. A fire pit further reinforces the feel of heat.
• Facing the hot planting is a border of blue and silver, topped with metallic spheres bubbling with water. This area represents problem solving and features plants such as agapanthus, blue ageratum, lobelia, silver Senecio cineraria, delphiniums and eryngiums.

About the garden

Stop, Think, Change has been designed by women who have been positively influenced by the Thinking Skills Programme.

The garden is clearly defined into three separate areas of colour and structures. Self control is reflected by the colour red with a fire pit to represent ‘hot thoughts’. Problem solving is blue, with three water spheres portraying reflection.

In the green positive relationship area, where safety is key,  a pergola represents shelter and safety and the colour combination of greens and creams has a calming feel to the viewer and enhances positive feelings.

A bespoke metal question mark and a carved statue of a woman at the centre portray a woman thinking. By using thinking skills the woman is likely to make a decision with a more positive outcome.

The structures, perennials and shrubs will be replanted at HMP and YOI Styal, Wilmslow after the show, with cuttings taken from the spent annual plants. 

With thanks to Novus: Foundations for Change; HMP Altcourse; HMP Garth; Four Oaks Nursery; Briggs Equipment, and Spectrum.