In Jeni’s garden design work she has always strived to find a balance between the needs of people and the needs of the wild beings that use the garden/space. Her garden design work has taken a pause as she recalibrates what she has learned from the herbs / weeds”and cocreating with Nature rather than imposing human will and control. “ More and more I am drawn to the belief that increasing a wildness within ourselves and strengthening our connection to nature will bring us back to our own true nature and balance will prevail”.
Three years ago huge shifts happened in her life and work and a time of intense learning of the “oldways” bought new levels of understanding and connection to the other than human. Learning from plants and listening to land more and more, tuning in to nature and starting to journey for herself and others has bought so many new layers to explore and adventure into.
Jeni Cairns has created outdoor spaces for private clients and public spaces with a strong ecological emphasis , using a mixture of natural and reclaimed materials creatively to great effect. Jeni has won RHS gold medals for her 2016 WWT working wetlands large show garden at Hampton court which also achieved the tudor rose best show garden.In July 2016 for the WWT supported by HSBC water programme. The garden used predominantly reclaimed materials and british native plants to show different ways water can be used, stored and enjoyed in a garden that supports wildlife and people. It was a large and ambitious garden but I was over the moon we won Gold and best show garden . the garden has now been reinstalled at WWT washington where it will have a lasting legacy as a learning garden for school children and families. And gold and best summer garden for her 2014 'A space to connect and grow ' garden for arts organisation Metal" wow wow wow what a brilliant experience it has been .There were so many highlights working with Metal as our sponsors ,meeting and working with Sophie Antonelli on the project , learning to Plasma cut and being good at it ! Winning GOLD and BEST SUMMER GARDEN woohoo , then to top it off Monty Don declared our garden his favourite part of the whole show at the end of Gardeners world. I really couldn't have dreamed it better" .. she has previously created gardens and borders at Harrogate spring and Autumn flower shows winning best in show 3 times and premier gold.
Here is a selection of both Jeni's hand drawn designs and perspective drawings from different projects and pictures from the finished gardens
pearmeable flooring in the form of gravel and metal grating allows water to soak through
the platform floor is underplanted with ferns and mosses , the circlular platform is suspended over the pond and allows a closer look at the boggy areas
a planted water tank helps to purify the collected rainwater before it feeds into the pond
decorative backdrop of recycled oil drums , insect hotels
Pavilion with partial living roof , decorative metal cut skylight
Industrial metal grating with gravel infill, water feature built from agricultural machinery, Scafold board benches ,Planters and pavilion, predominantly recycled materials
Close up of the fire pit and reclaimed sleeper path
The artist studio we hand built from reclaimed onion boxes, vintage picture frames for windows, planed and sanded scaffold boards for the floor lime waxed. Scaffold board decking,Vintage potato chitting trays make a useful and attractive storage wall. A grain auger makes a beautiful and unusual rain spiral
Ancient apple wood sculptures stand beautifully in the borders which at night become illuminated by hidden lighting
One of the four rough idea plans for the Rookery garden
Rough idea plan for the rookery garden
final design for the rookery garden 'figure of eight ' gravel paths take you on a journey through the garden. with different places to spend time the tranquil seat below the pergola overlooking the wildlife pond. relaxing in the sun on the brick circle. or in the shade of the gazebo. the emphasis of the planting being perennials mixed with grasses and alliums. a beautiful colour palette of purples yellows and blues with texture and form coming from grasses
A garden built using reclaimed materials with beautifully planted borders incorporating dye plants around the scaffold board decking
A perspective view of the Artisan retreat garden
A perspective view of how the border with look
concept sketches of different ideas for the sustainable harmony garden 2011
