G Creating Moments of Sanctuary

CREATING MOMENTS OF SANCTUARY

By The Head Gardener

The words ‘sanctuary’ and ‘oasis’ are often cited in reference to the Garden, words that conjure a feeling as much as a description. With recent events, these feelings are as important as ever. The vision is for this atmosphere to continue beyond the historic Garden gates, to connect the Garden to the existing courtyards across the Inn, adding more areas of green and sanctuary. It was with this in mind that planting designs for the terraces surrounding the Treasury Building and Hall were formed to coincide with the completion of Project Pegasus.

The architecture and history of the building seemed the most appropriate place to start to inform the planting design. During Georgian times, the terrace to the front of Hall was considered the most pleasant part of the Inn. Protected and south facing, the aspect may have played a part in this, alongside the medieval architecture of the building. Following bombing in World War II, the Treasury Building and Hall were rebuilt. A neo-Georgian style was favoured by architect Sir Hubert Worthington rather than rebuilding in its former guise. The design focused on classical proportions and formal symmetry. Poignantly, given recent events, the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II laid the foundation stone for Hall on 13 November 1952. Many readers will already be aware that during the postwar construction of the Treasury Building, the Inn ran out of funds and so the full design of a mansard roof with dormer windows was not delivered. However, Project Pegasus has now completed Sir Hubert Worthington’s original design. The mansard roof structure and dormer windows are now in place, giving height and grandeur to the building. For the new planting designs, it was felt the classical symmetry of the completed Treasury Building needed to be accentuated, alongside creating a courtyard ‘oasis’ in front of Hall and next to the foundation stone laid by Queen Elizabeth II.

The planting chosen is formal, yet soft and inviting, in addition to taking advantage of the microclimate of the south facing aspect. The planting and materials already present across the wider Inn have also been considered for continuity. Before the Project, the clipped Bay trees (Laurus nobilis) previously on the Pegasus Bar Terrace were relocated to new locations such as outside Paper Buildings. These were very welcome in their new homes and so the decision was made to keep them there. After much deliberation, clipped Bay trees were chosen again for outside Pegasus Bar and for them to repeat along the Treasury Terrace, their simplicity complementing the architecture and providing continuity to the others now located across the estate. In addition, the classical associations of Bay trees to wisdom are fitting for the educational purpose of the Inn.

The scale of the Bay trees needed to complement the scale of the building, and so larger specimen trees were sourced. The Bay trees alternate along the Treasury Terrace with planters of pollinator friendly English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) combined with airy Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). These help to add softness and create the desired welcoming atmosphere. Stone bowls of trailing rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Prostratus Group) add finishing touches to the aromatic planting scheme. These all lead to the showpieces at the entrance, the commissioned lead planters embellished with the Pegasus crest. The planters were made by the Kent based craftsmen at English Leadworks. These delineate the main entrances, providing a ‘firm handshake’ of a welcome as one enters the new building.

The classical associations of Bay trees to wisdom are fitting for the educational purpose of the Inn.

The Hall Terrace has its own character, the wish was for it to feel more akin to a courtyard with places to sit and contemplate. Four large rectangular lead planters were repositioned along the base of the wall. These had previously been around the pond before the Pond Garden project took place. These highlight the symmetry of the building and frame the engraved foundation stone to the centre. Within, Fig trees (Ficus carica) have been planted, the heat and protection of the walls hopefully ensuring a good crop of fruit as the plants mature. Soft waves of understory planting come from layers of bulbs and sun loving perennials. These have included the delicate Tulipa ‘Peppermint stick’ with its soft pink face opening to the sun; a choice selection of Benton Iris; the delicate grass, Stipa pseudoichu; and drumstick alliums, Allium sphaerocephalon. All are thriving in the baking conditions. The beds either side of the entrance to the Treasury Building also include some choice selections including South African Leucadendron ‘Safari Sunset’, a member of the Protea family.

The main addition to the Hall Terrace comes from the structural planting formed of a row of pleached Lime (Tilia × euchlora) trees, enclosing the space. Pleaching is the art of training trees to form a raised flat screen. These were sourced from Majestic Trees and have large, glossy, heart shaped leaves which age to golden shades of yellow in the autumn. The pleached trees help to frame the building and the Terrace, allowing views outward to the Garden when sat on the iron benches. The Treasurer had the fitting idea of planting these trees as part of the ‘The Queen’s Green Canopy’, in dedication to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. These are planted directly opposite the engraved foundation stone. Planted to celebrate the Jubilee, the trees are now a reminder of a year of public celebration and also mourning. During this period of great change, it is hoped that the new planting design provides moments of ‘sanctuary’ and ‘oasis’ surrounding the Treasury Building and Hall for all who come to the Inn.

Sean Harkin Head Gardener

The Treasurer had the fitting idea of planting these trees as part of the ‘The Queen’s Green Canopy’, in dedication to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee … The trees are now a reminder of a year of public celebration and also mourning. During this period of great change, it is hoped that the new planting design provides moments of ‘sanctuary’ and ‘oasis’.