Aster of Senses
Our Rangers Design a Sustainable and Social-Impact-First Garden in New RHS Hampton Court Category
Aster of Senses - reimagine the potential of urban nature
London National Park City presented a show garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2025.
BRONZE MEDAL WINNER
We are delighted that designer Yoni Carnice has not only received a Bronze medal for his first ever RHS Garden design but we have also been recognised for our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our garden.
‘Aster of Senses’ brought together a vision from London National Park City Rangers Katie Blake and Lesley Wertheimer and celebrated landscape designer Yoni Carnice, and contractors Cultivate London and Froglife.
A Journey Through the Senses
Inspired by the National Park City five-pointed Aster logo – where each ‘branch’ represented a different sense – ‘Aster of Senses’ took visitors on a 360-degree sensory journey that supported them in exploring and reimagining urban green spaces as hubs for biodiversity and community.
From Industry to Ecology: A Regenerative Urban Landscape
Pathways of recycled and porous concrete symbolised the journey from industrial pasts to sustainable futures, while a meadow teeming with medicinal and edible plants showcased how an urban forest garden approach could support the wider food system.
Drawing on regenerative practices, Hügelkultur beds were used throughout the meadow.
A Total of 57 Species of Plants
Mounds
- Pimpinella saxifraga – Burnet Saxifrage
- Betonica officinalis ‘Ukkie’ – Betony ‘Ukkie’
- Bistorta officinalis – Common Bistort
- Fragaria vesca – Wild Strawberry
- Rubus tricolour – Korean Raspberry
- Campanula persicifolia – Peach-leaved Bellflower
- Knautia arvensis – Field Scabious
- Akebia quinata – Chocolate Vine
- Humulus lupulus ‘Nordbrau’ – Hop ‘Nordbrau’
- Leycesteria formosa – Himalayan Honeysuckle
- Lonicera caerulea ‘Siniczka’ – Honeyberry ‘Siniczka’
- Ribes nigrum ‘Titania’ (B) – Blackcurrant ‘Titania’
- Ribes uva-crispa ‘Hinnonmäki Röd’ – Gooseberry ‘Hinnonmäki Röd’
- Gallium odoratum – Sweet Woodruff
- Valeriana officinalis – Common Valerian
- Plantago lanceolata – Ribwort Plantain
- Melissa officinalis – Lemon Balm
- Mentha rotundifolia – Round-leaved Mint
- Hesperis matronalis – Dame’s Rocket
- Brassica oleracea var. tronchuda – Asturian Tree Cabbage
- Brassica oleracea var. botrytis ‘Nine Star Perennial’ – Perennial Broccoli
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala ‘Cottagers’ – Cottagers Kale
- Ugni molinae – Chilean Guava
- Agastache – Hyssop
- Gillenia trifoliata – Bowman’s Root
- Myrrhis odorata – Sweet Cicely
- Filipendula vulgaris ‘Multiplex’ (d) – Dropwort ‘Multiplex’
- Phytolacca americana – American Pokeweed
- Ocimum basilicum ‘Cinnamon’ – Cinnamon Basil
- Mentha longifolia – Horse Mint
- Escallonia resinosa – Resin Escallonia
- Althaea officinalis – Marshmallow
Trees
- Mespilus germanica: Common Medlar
- Amelanchier × lamarckii: Juneberry or Snowy Mespilus
- Malus domestica ‘Bramley’: Bramley Apple
- Prunus sp.: plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, and almonds.
Meadow
- Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’: Purple Fennel
- Allium cernuum: Nodding Onion
- Allium schoenoprasum: Chives
- Sanguisorba officinalis: Great Burnet
- Chrysanthemum vulgare: Oxeye Daisy
- Tanacetum parthenium: Feverfew
- Malva moschata: Musk Mallow
- Monarda citriodora: Lemon Beebalm
- Agastache rugosa ‘Golden Jubilee’: Korean Mint
- Amaranthus ‘Red Garnet’: Red Garnet Amaranth
Footpaths
- Ajuga reptans ‘Atropurpurea’: Bugleweed
- Chamaemelum nobile: Roman Chamomile
- Thymus polytrichus: Wild Thyme
Pond
- Nasturtium officinale: Watercress
- Houttuynia cordata: Chameleon Plant
- Acorus aquatica: Sweet Flag
- Menyanthes trifoliata: Bogbean
- Nymphaea alba: White Water Lily
Mushrooms
- Ganoderma lucidum: Reishi, this is a popular medicinal mushroom.
- Polyporus squamosus: Dryad’s Saddle or Pheasant’s Back Mushroom
- Pleurotus ostreatus: Native Oysters
Community at the Core
Additional standout elements included a steel-edged pond at the end of the garden, filled with edible and medicinal aquatics amidst crushed recycled concrete. Visitors were encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for wooden disc insects hiding around the garden. These little creatures were lovingly crafted by children with additional needs who took part in SEND-focused outdoor learning sessions, led by Urban Forest Tribe CIC. Each disc was made from foraged wood and fallen natural materials – gathered, sawed, and shaped by the children themselves.
And guess what? Urban Forest Tribe CIC‘s founder was a London National Park City Ranger, so nature connection ran through everything we did.
Before ‘Aster of Senses’ reached its home in Hampton Court, it had already helped foster community spirit. Elements of the show garden build took place in Hounslow, and Rangers from London National Park City’s pilot community in the borough were invited to learn about this testament to nature connectedness as it was created from the ground up.
More about the Designers
“My interest in horticulture stems from a deep appreciation for the way gardens can support biodiversity and foreground cultural narratives. With a background in landscape architecture, gardening, and ecological restoration, I have always been inspired by the dynamic relationship between people, plants, and place.”
Designer Yoni Carnice
“As a London National Park City Ranger, I’m incredibly proud to see this garden come to life – not only as a celebration of nature and sensory experience, but as a reflection of the rich diversity within our communities. The materials and planting have been carefully chosen to connect people with place, memory, and environment.”
Ranger Katie Blake
“London is a city of concrete and steel. Rangers work to create oases of green and blue to benefit all residents, regardless of age and ability, in pockets city-wide.”
Ranger Lesley Wertheimer
Built for Regeneration
Brought to life by contractors Cultivate London and Froglife, the 7m x 7m garden put sustainability at its heart.
Native plants – from UK suppliers including Big Green Plant Centre, Naturescape, and Landlife – were used throughout, the compost was peat-free and reclaimed materials such as concrete slabs were transformed into communal seating. In addition, all plants to be rehomed after close down of show to Ranger projects across London in partnership with Wayward Plants – an organisation that facilitates large-scale plant exchanges and adoption events.
Incredible native mushrooms provided by the wonderful folk at Fat Fox Mushrooms. Including Dryad Saddle, Reishi and Oyster mushrooms – these fungi are an stunning component of the design.
A list with more details of the plants featured in the garden can be found here
Stay Connected
Discover Things to Do
We’re curating a dynamic programme of things to do — from walks and talks to workshops and cultural activities — all in and around our pop-up Visitors Centre at 80 Mortimer Street. These activities are run in collaboration with a range of partners, both big and small.
For the latest list of upcoming activities, visit:
nationalparkcity.london/events
To find out more or discuss running your own event, contact Louis Rutherford at
louis.rutherford@nationalparkcity.org
