Garden Of Creation

The Garden of Creation in Burley in Wharfedale has been selected by the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) for their national Open Gardens event to celebrate their 30th anniversary year. Local landscape and garden designer and registered member, Helen Taylor, has designed the garden. The garden was also selected by the SGD in their design review of the year 2010 as ‘one of the best designs of the year’.

The Garden of Creation will be open on 01 May from 2:00 to 6:00 pm.

Local designer, Helen Taylor, expanded the original brief to utilise the entire western side of the church grounds for the garden, which would allow a generous lawn, and seating/planting areas both in the sun and shade. Enclosing hedges and gates restrict access to the busy road allowing the children to play safely.
The garden has been named ‘the Garden of Creation’ because of the integral series of mosaic panels, which tell the bible story of the seven days of the Creation. The mosaics, made by David James, are set into a minor path, which winds its way through ornamental planting connecting the seating areas. The story starts from the front of the church with the panels ‘Day’ and ‘Night’. (‘On the first day God created Day and Night). The various themes depicted in the artwork are reflected in the planting design.
A mural was proposed for the boundary wall to provide an original play feature. (The playground was required for weekend parking). Helen’s initial sketch showing Noah’s ark and the procession of animals was developed by artist, Lewis Morgan and constructed in mixed, reclaimed hardwoods.
The area under the tree was developed into an outdoor classroom and wildlife garden.

Helen will be on hand to discuss the garden design and the two artists will be available with demonstrations of ceramic and pebble mosaic and timber sculpture. There will be plant sales and refreshments.

Details and additional photos of the project are available on the designer’s own web site: www.helentaylorgardendesign.co.uk