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The garden

The ancient Chinese concept of Yin and Yang, characterised by two opposite yet complementary and interconnected forces, inspires this design. Split into two distinct halves, the garden reproduces the Taijitu symbol: one side is planted for sunny conditions and the other for shade, reflecting the environments people typically have in their gardens. A sinuous, wildlife-friendly native hedge separates the two areas, while topiary columns echo the opposing dots on each side.

The planting is naturalistic in style, with trees such as Acer griseum providing structure. Designed to support wildlife, the space incorporates log piles, insect hotels, a water feature and a rich variety of species offering both shelter and food. A hand-crafted clay birdbath introduces texture and colour, while three sculptural stools, hewn from a mature native yew trunk, add to the overall sense of beauty.

Key plants:

• Ilex aquifolium ‘Handsworth New Silver’ â€“ a native evergreen suitable for pruning, with a variegated leaf and purple stem that can be shaped to form the dot in the yin and yang design and provides structure, light and wildlife benefit

• Styrax japonicum – a good, small garden tree with scented white flowers in summer, attractive to pollinators, autumn colour and resilient to disease and climate change

• Acer griseum –  a resilient small tree with striking peeling bark to give it year round appeal. The canopy provides light shade

• Acer palmatum ‘U°ì¾±-²µ³Ü³¾´Ç’– an unusual Japanese maple with filigree mottled leaves in green, white and pink, to be used in the mid layer of the planting

• ​Erigeron karvinskianus – an excellent small daisy filler for sun that flowers for months in white, pink and yellow and goes well with other planting

Plants supplied by: ,  

The designer â€“

Alexandra has been a garden designer for over 20 years, mainly for private clients in the Wiltshire area. She has an HNC in Garden Planning and Design, a Post Graduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture and a Certificate in Construction Design from the London College of Garden Design. She was until recently the Events Coordinator for the Wiltshire Gardens Trust and opens her own garden for the National Garden Scheme, which has featured in Gardens Illustrated and The English Garden.

The garden legacy

The garden is being relocated within the Millenium Garden of the Seend Lye Field - a village community space.