The brief for the Yurt Garden was to create a nature friendly, wildlife haven to include a Yurt and wildflowers. The Yurt was established as an alternative inside space for workshops, meetings and events with a secluded garden. Situated adjacent to the conservation area, the forest garden and the Labyrinth, The Yurt Garden was designed in 2022, by Andy Grant and created with the help of our enthusiastic and talented volunteers, participants and staff. Like many of the Lindengate gardens it was created with little money and tonnes of enthusiasm, and resourcefulness.
Taking the circle of the Yurt as a starting point, the garden has four distinct zones; wildflower, woodland beds, curved seating area with a fire pit and a native pond. The design picks up on the curves of the Yurt. Inside the garden there is also a kitchen and a herb garden at the back of the Yurt which makes this garden an ideal entertaining space too.
On the approach to the entrance of the Yurt Garden look out for the two stunning Yews and the wildflowers each side of a brick path. The gate into the Yurt Garden is of particular interest as it was beautifully hand crafted in our Wood Workshop by a Volunteer using heritage craft techniques. Instead of screws, the gate has wooden dowels to bind the rustic trees bows together.
Once inside the Yurt Garden follow a gravel, brick and steel edged path to the left, around the Yurt. From Spring to Autumn, there is a native, wildflower, annual meadow bed. To give the bed all year interest, the area also includes a crab apple tree, roses, a yew hedge, cultivars, herbs and buxus balls. The Yurt Garden has a heavy clay soil so the wildflowers are selected to thrive in this earth. Also, wildflowers have complex root systems that make the soil stable.
Once inside the Yurt Garden follow a gravel, brick and steel edged path to the left, around the Yurt. From Spring to Autumn, there is a native, wildflower, annual meadow bed. To give the bed all year interest, the area also includes a crab apple tree, roses, a yew hedge, cultivars, herbs and buxus balls. The Yurt Garden has a heavy clay soil so the wildflowers are selected to thrive in this earth. Also, wildflowers have complex root systems that make the soil stable.
Wildflowers provide pollinators and insects with food and spaces to breed. Although we collect the seeds at the end of the summer to sow on site, we always leave enough to ensure the birds have a vital food source and the insects have areas to pupate or shelter through the winter months. Bird’s-foot trefoil is a food plant for 160 species of insects, which in turn support mammals and birds such as shrews and lapwings. The World Wide Fund for Nature have shown that since the 1930s, 97% of UK wildflower meadows in the UK have been greatly diminished so it is really important that more wildflowers are planted.
At Lindengate, we love decomposing logs. Not only does the decomposing wood return important nutrients to the soil supporting new growth, they also create habitats for insects, mammals and birds. Rotting wood is also great for the endangered stag beetles as the logs enable the beetles to complete their life cycles in the decomposing wood habitats. The little woodland is also dotted again with wildflowers.
Wildflowers are valued throughout Lindengate. The wildflower beds provide insect pathways across the site, benefitting butterflies, bees and insects, and host other wildlife. The essential wildlife corridors enable wildlife to respond to climate change making it easier for them to feed and move around. Pollinators prefer not to travel too far for food so dotting food sources are essential. At Lindengate we aim to restore and create balance in the ecosystems enabling nature to thrive.
Now follow the path to two more areas; a wildlife pond and a large seating area surrounded by graceful Betula Pendulas, wild parsleys, verbena bonariensis, irises from the site collection, with a central fire pit. Ahead of these two spaces it is possible to see our hand made a sculpture created in the wood workshop and willow sculptures made by one of our volunteers.
Ponds are important in gardens as they help create a balanced ecosystem with habitats and food sources for aquatic invertebrates, aquatic plants, amphibians, insects, birds and mammals.
The Yurt Garden is an example of how we like to plant at Lindengate. Wildflowers, trees, shrubs, grasses and cultivars are planted cheek-by-jowl in a relaxed planting scheme. At Lindengate we believe by nurturing nature we can nurture ourselves.
The Yurt Garden is also a private space for hire. If you want a unique experience for special occasions, private meetings or gatherings take a look at our BROCHURE or click HERE for more information.