The Wedgwood Garden

Nature, flowers and horticulture have always been at the heart of Wedgwood’s design work and these have been the source of inspiration for Jo’s garden.

Designed specifically as a garden for a woman, an ephemeral pavilion appears to dance over a stream, which meanders through harmonious planting and naturalistic rocks and boulders.  The space can be entered via openings in the planting at the garden’s edges and the sensory experience of the smooth stone underfoot is immediately apparent.  An almost undetectable path leads the visitor towards the bronze pavilion.  On entering, a sunken area leads to stepping stones across a pond after which there is a bench from where the whole garden can be viewed and enjoyed.

This curved sculpture is a collaborative effort between Jo and ‘The Seduction of Curves’ author Allan McRobie, the department of engineering at Cambridge University and Expedition Engineering.

Other notable aspects of the garden include a stone seat and coffee table. These are hewn from the same boulder, split in half, and provide panoramic views of the whole garden. A stunning kintsugi style path, winds through the garden.  The delicate strands of bronze echo the ancient Japanese practice of celebrating the art of precious scars in broken porcelain.

The planting throughout the garden is typical of Jo’s style.  Known as one of the most accomplished contemporary plants-women, Jo’s planting scheme is elegant, sophisticated and feminine. A beautiful willow species, Salix exigua, will be dotted throughout the garden, referencing the iconic Wedgwood pattern as well as weeping feature trees.

This is contemplative in atmosphere, with a planting palette that reflects the 18th-century colour trials carried out by Josiah Wedgwood with hues of pale yellow, periwinkle, inky purple, rust and peach.

Plant list