The Biosphere: Mode of Life garden, a joint project between Humble-Bee Gardeners and the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, is set to be a must-visit destination at this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival.
A Sustainable Approach to Garden Design
The garden’s designers, Frantisek Zika and Jenny Rafferty, are committed to sustainable garden design principles. This approach prioritizes the use of natural, sustainable, and recycled materials in the creation of the garden. The materials used in the festival will be carefully selected to minimize waste and reduce the garden’s environmental footprint.
- Natural materials will be used for the structure and decorative elements of the garden.
- Sustainable and recycled materials will be used for the plants, soil, and other components.
- The water feature will be designed to be energy-efficient and drought-resistant.
A Wildlife-Friendly Oasis
The garden will feature a variety of wildlife habitats, including a sand bed for mining bees, a wildflower area, shrubs, a dead hedge, and a pond. These features will provide a haven for local wildlife, such as bees, butterflies, and birds, and showcase the importance of biodiversity in gardens.
- a sand bed for mining bees will provide a habitat for these essential pollinators.
- a wildflower area will attract a variety of butterflies and bees.
- shrubs will provide shelter and food for birds and small mammals.
- a dead hedge will create a habitat for insects and small animals.
- a pond will provide a source of water for wildlife and create a habitat for aquatic plants.
A Message from the Designers
Frantisek Zika and Jenny Rafferty, the designers of the Biosphere: Mode of Life garden, are passionate about sustainable garden design. They believe that natural garden design can be the right solution for any household and that, when done sensitively, it can create a shared space for wildlife and people.
“we want to demonstrate that natural garden design is the right solution for any household and, done sensitively, gives a shared space for wildlife and people.” – Frantisek Zika and Jenny Rafferty
A Collaboration with the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust
The Biosphere: Mode of Life garden is the result of a collaboration between Humble-Bee Gardeners and the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust. The charity partner for the garden is Frances Weeks, head of nature action at the trust.
The Story of Humble-Bee Gardeners
Humble-Bee Gardeners was founded by Frantisek and Jenny with a focus on sustainability, biodiversity, and regeneration. The company has grown to become involved in several RHS flower shows, including a collaboration with charity Bees for Development at the Malvern Flower Show in 2023.
- Humble-Bee Gardeners was founded by Frantisek and Jenny with a focus on sustainability, biodiversity, and regeneration.
- The company has grown to become involved in several RHS flower shows, including a collaboration with charity Bees for Development at the Malvern Flower Show in 2023.
- The company aims to inspire visitors to incorporate wildlife-friendly and sustainable elements into their own gardens or community green spaces.
A Message from the Founders
Frantisek Zika and Jenny Rafferty, the founders of Humble-Bee Gardeners, are committed to inspiring visitors to take action and make a positive impact on the environment. “Gardens and community green spaces are places where people and nature can coexist and places where we can take action and do something practical and immediate to recover and encourage biodiversity.”
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| a sand bed for mining bees | provides a habitat for these essential pollinators. |
| a wildflower area | attracts a variety of butterflies and bees. |
| shrubs | provide shelter and food for birds and small mammals. |
| a dead hedge | creates a habitat for insects and small animals. |
| a pond | provides a source of water for wildlife and creates a habitat for aquatic plants. |
Conclusion
The Biosphere: Mode of Life garden is a testament to the power of sustainable garden design and the importance of biodiversity in gardens. With its naturalistic planting, native species, and various wildlife habitats, this garden is sure to inspire visitors and promote a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of nature and human activity. As Frantisek Zika and Jenny Rafferty said, “we want to demonstrate that natural garden design is the right solution for any household and, done sensitively, gives a shared space for wildlife and people.” This garden is a shining example of the potential for gardens to contribute to nature’s recovery and a reminder of the importance of taking action to protect our planet’s precious resources.
