The Angel Garden
17 Jun 2005 | 1 min read
By Rajka Popovic of Capel Manor College. The Angel garden is a spiritual haven in which to unwind and reflect. Inspired by the famous Byzantine fresco in Mileseva Monastery, Serbia, the 'White Angel' has been recreated in the garden by artist Mai Osawa.
The painting acts as a stunning focal point and enhances the feeling of peace and tranquility. Seen just behind the fresco are trees Betula utilis var. jacquemontii and Sorbus aria and shrubs Taxus baccata and Pittosporum tobira.
Designed around a sunken octagon of reclaimed stone, 
in the centre of the garden is a water feature by David Harber, a font and sundial, it symbolises rebirth and the continuity of time. Surrounding the water feature are ferns Polystichum setiferum and Blechnum spicant.
The planting style is delicate and relaxed, texture being provided by the flowers and the foliage of the plants. The colour scheme is soft and cool, predominantly blue and white.
In the picture above is the white round heads of Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' at the right, Rosmarinus officinalis at the front, with Campanula latifolia and Viola cornuta hugging the ground beside it. The entire border is punctuated with the small, intense purple spikes of Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland'. In the middle picture above and below is the light feathery grass of Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails' and Veronicastrum virginicum 'Lavendelturm'.
The most asked about plant in the garden is the unusual, tall white spikes of the 
Galtonia candicans (below right). Many people have also been interested in the Phygelius aequalis 'Yellow Trumpet' (in the picture to the left with the Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland' in front of it).
Scent is provided in the garden by small herbs planted amongst the paving the release aromatic oils when stepped on, while Nicotiana sylvestris perume the air.
Other Herbaceous plants include: Sidalcea candida, Aconitum spicatum 'Stainless Steel', Erigeron karvinskianus, Mentha requienii, Phlox paniculata 'David', Salvia transsylvanica and Verbascum chaixii 'Album'.
Planting by Fiona Miley