LOROS is a charity whose aim is to enhance the quality of life of adult patients with cancer, progressive neurological conditions and end-stage organ failure for whom curative treatment is no longer possible.

Show Garden / Garden Narrative

This garden is a celebration of the natural world, biodiversity, and sustainable gardening practices. It explores how gardens can support wildlife not only through pollinating flowers, but also by embracing the wider ecosystem that insects, birds, and small mammals rely upon. Alongside flowering plants, the design incorporates wildflowers such as nettles, yarrow, and vetch, as well as grasses, herbs, trees, old tree stumps, and insect hotels to provide food, shelter, and habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife.

The garden embraces biodynamic and permaculture principles by working with nature rather than against it. Allowing naturally occurring plants to grow and coexist within the space helps create a healthier and more resilient environment. Reusing and repurposing materials is also an important part of the design philosophy, celebrating sustainability while reducing waste.

This project is deeply personal and has been created in memory of my close friend, Anna, who passed away from terminal cancer in January this year. Anna had a profound love of the natural world and spent as much time outdoors as possible. She studied permaculture, which is also a practice that strongly influences my own work as a horticulturist and garden designer. The border garden will include items from Anna’s own garden, alongside some of her favourite plants, creating a meaningful tribute to her life and connection with nature.

The garden is also being used as an opportunity to raise money and awareness for LOROS, a hospice in Leicestershire that provides exceptional care and support for people with terminal illnesses and their families.

As the owner of Leaf It With Me Gardens and Design, my work is increasingly focused on biodynamic and permaculture gardening practices. My approach encourages naturally occurring planting while enhancing spaces specifically for pollinators and wildlife by providing habitat, food sources, and shelter.

Sustainability is central to both my work and my personal garden. I aim to reuse as much material as possible and avoid unnecessary waste.