The garden
Despite the challenging conditions often associated with brownfield lands – from infertile soils and contamination to minimal irrigation and exposure – these sites can evolve into highly biodiverse successional habitats. This design encourages visitors to reconsider the importance of these often-overlooked landscapes and to recognise their contribution to the wider urban ecological networks.
The regenerative processes of brownfield land are turned into an aesthetic, small-scale planting scheme. Three distinct planting gradients reflect natural successions patterns, echoing pioneering species, expanding seed banks and competitive scrub communities. As these environments are typically characterised by substrates such as gravel, crushed concrete or bricks, resilient and drought-tolerant species like Achillea ‘°ä°ù±ð»å´Ç’ are included.
The garden also features deadwood structures and other ‘found objects’ sourced from brownfield sites, repurposed to create microhabitats for invertebrates that colonise these lands.
Key plants:
Plants supplied by: , ,
The designers – Luke Adams and Esme Jones
Luke’s interest in landscapes began through growing up exploring farms and woodlands, where he developed a strong connection to nature and photography. His experiences completing all three Duke of Edinburgh Awards and volunteering for over four years at a falconry centre deepened his understanding of ecology and habitat management. After initially considering architecture and physical geography, he found landscape architecture to combine his interests, and now looks ahead to a future in the profession.
Esme’s passion for the natural environment began in childhood, shaped by time spent outdoors and learning about plants from her mother, a horticulturist and garden designer. Working at a florist and later a plant nursery helped her develop practical horticultural knowledge and an appreciation for planting design. These experiences led her to study landscape architecture, with the aim of creating functional spaces that encourage engagement with nature.
The garden legacy
The garden will be relocated along Regent’s Canal in London, as part of the Memory Lane community-led Project in the heart of London.
All Show Gardens
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The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.