Chelsea Flower Show, Gold Medalist, 2023, Garden design

23RD MAY 2023

Step into the natural wonderland of Jirisan’s medicinal herbal colony, located in the eastern region of Korea’s ‘mother mountain’.

I recently had the pleasure of working the build on a beautiful garden project at Chelsea Flower Show 2023 and it was truly a journey worth sharing.

From the beginning, I was amazed at the level of expertise that went into creating such a stunning masterpiece. As part of the team, I was given the task of adding some fine detailing throughout the planting, and it was a job I relished. As someone who was nicknamed Kate Moss/Misses Moss throughout the project, it was clear that my expertise was in carefully decorating shaded boulders. Using cotoneaster saplings, aquilegia seedlings, grasses, leaf mold and fresh moss, responsibly sourced from local woodlands and nurseries, I set to work, bringing to life the thick of mountainous woodland shade.

Working with a talented plant-tendering team, we combined our knowledge and skills to place the plants in such a way that would later be approved the designer, who had a unique and playful approach to the project.

Questions and requests came at her from all angles, but she never faltered, surrounded by her team of translators, she moved through the crowds of questions with grace and poise . Despite the chaos around her, she remained utterly focused on her work.

Instead of a planting plan, there was just knowledge, experience, and a creative imagination. This was a method that I appreciated, as it's something that I've enjoyed implementing into my own restoration gardens.

The sight of 20 tonnes of stone arriving on articulated trucks is enough to give any garden enthusiast a rush of excitement.

But when those stones are carefully selected, angled, and placed around towering trees and flowing water features, it's nothing short of awe-inspiring. Watching the diggers, forklifts, and cranes meticulously move each boulder into place, I couldn't help but admire the attention to detail that went into every aspect of this landscape design project at Chelsea Flower Show.

Every stone had a purpose and a specific placement, working together to create a stunning outdoor oasis. As I walked along the winding pathways and admired the serene ponds, I was struck by how the stone seamlessly blended into the surrounding landscape. It was clear that the designer had taken great care to ensure that the stones weren't just a decorative feature but also served a functional purpose in supporting the soil and creating natural drainage.

But what really stood out to me was how the 20 tones of stones provided a sense of balance and harmony throughout the space.

Despite their size and weight, each boulder was placed with precision, creating a sense of calm and order that permeated every aspect of the garden.

As a horticultural enthusiast, it's always inspiring to see a landscape design project that has been executed with such care and attention to detail. This stunning outdoor space is a testament to the beauty that can be created when you combine creativity, expertise, and a deep respect for the natural world.

The designer explains: “The garden’s large rocks represent over 2 billion years of time. These rocks, which existed even before the birth of mankind, have been keeping a certain form of love within them for millions of years. With little plants and flowers blossoming within the crevices and cracks between the rocks, this love has been illustrated. Therefore, these rocks and plants will look like special letters sent to us from millions of years ago.”

These rocks provide the base for a complex ecosystem, ensuring humidity in the dry season while protecting the small plants. Native Korean species such as the endangered Filipendula formosa Nakai bloom beautifully in the garden, their pink flowers drawing your attention.

Surrounding trees, edibles and herbs are selected for their healing and medicinal properties. But the wonders of this garden don’t end here. Situated at the base of the mountain, you’ll find the medicine herb drying tower. Built using traditional Korean techniques, the tower uses rocks and soil as wall structures.

Take a step towards holistic wellbeing with us.

The plants used to create this garden were carefully chosen for their unique medicinal qualities, making for a beautiful and sustainable space. Something that can be easily recreating in your own garden.

A Letter from a Million Years Past

Plant List