Andrew Williamson Garden Design teamed up with Laura Hall Garden Design to create a small outside space at Gardeners' World Beaulieu, in support of the charity Maggie's Southampton.

Inspired by the welcoming and supporting ‘safe harbour’ at Maggie's Southampton and their enthusiasm for the Japanese relaxation practice shinrin yoku (forest bathing), our beautiful border 'Together' encourages people to create a relaxation retreat of any size to use and share in times of pressure.

Our edge of woodland inspired planting brings together a soft and calming palette of colour, textures and forms, tastes and scents, engaging all five senses, triggering memories, stimulating imagination and taking minds away from life’s tougher experiences.

Each element of our space has been selected to serve a purpose, reflecting our need as designers to consider biodiversity and sustainability. By creating a more complex landscape of reused materials, including reclaimed construction material and deadwood, the range of visiting wildlife is increased. Our choice of reclaimed seats encourage the users to ‘share this space’, either with others or by simply being with nature.

Ammonite fossil used as a waterbowl sits in the foreground, surrounded by planting

Maggie's is a wonderful charity that is there for anyone with cancer and all the people who love them, both in centres and online. Please take a moment to check them out.