How to create an art-inspired garden | Tate

Summary

Jodi Dickinson, the gardener at the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, provides insightful gardening tips inspired by Hepworth's naturalistic approach to her garden in St Ives. The garden is maintained as it was in Hepworth’s time, blending structural diversity, self-seeding plants, and sustainable practices. Dickinson emphasizes the importance of height, textures, and microclimates in creating a dynamic garden, while noting Hepworth’s concerns for the environment. The video encourages viewers to embrace sustainability, ground cover, and plant selection based on local conditions to create vibrant, low-maintenance gardens.

Takeaways

• 🌸 Barbara Hepworth acquired the garden in St Ives in 1949, transforming it from a geometric rose garden to a more naturalistic space.
• 🌳 Hepworth’s garden became a workspace and a home for her sculptures, reflecting a harmonious blend of nature and art.
• 🌿 The garden is maintained as it was towards the end of Hepworth’s life, while allowing natural growth and change to shape its evolution.
• 🌱 Height and structural diversity in plants are key to creating a dynamic, three-dimensional garden space.
• 🌲 Out of the eight mature trees in the garden, six were thoughtfully planted by Hepworth herself, adding depth and beauty to the garden’s canopy.
• 🌞 The garden’s atmosphere varies from a woodland feel at the rear to a Mediterranean, sun-drenched space at the front, creating diverse environments for plant life.
• ♻️ Sustainability is a core focus, with self-seeding plants like Hellebore and Cineraria providing ground cover, enriching soil, and reducing the need for new plants.
• 🌬️ Cornwall’s maritime climate allows for a broader range of plants, including species from New Zealand and the Mediterranean.
• 🌿 Choosing plants that suit local climates and microclimates helps reduce watering and improve plant health, especially in areas exposed to wind and full sun.
• 🌾 Textures, such as the size and shapes of leaves, are vital to maintaining the calm and contemplative atmosphere of the garden, ensuring interest year-round without overwhelming drama.

Q & A

Who is the gardener at the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden?

Jodi Dickinson is the gardener at the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.

How did Barbara Hepworth transform the garden after acquiring it in 1949?

Barbara Hepworth transformed the garden from a traditional and geometric rose garden into a more informal and naturalistic space.

What role did the garden play for Barbara Hepworth?

The garden became a place for Hepworth to work and housed many of her sculptures.

What is a key tip for creating a dynamic garden space according to the transcript?

A key tip is to think about height to create a more dynamic and three-dimensional space.

How does the garden's atmosphere change from the rear to the front?

The rear of the garden has a woodland feel, while the front basks in full sun and has a Mediterranean feel.

What are some self-seeding plants mentioned in the transcript?

Some self-seeding plants mentioned are the native Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus) and Florist's Cineraria (Pericallis × hybridas).

How does self-seeding contribute to sustainability in the garden?

Self-seeding plants reduce the need to buy new plants, provide ground cover to protect the soil, and contribute to soil health by naturally dying and feeding the soil ecology.

How does Cornwall’s maritime climate affect the garden?

Cornwall's maritime climate, with milder winters, allows for a broader range of plants, including those from New Zealand and the Mediterranean.

What should gardeners consider when selecting plants for their own gardens?

Gardeners should consider local climate, microclimates, exposure to winds, and full sun areas, and choose drought-tolerant and well-draining plants for different zones.

Why are textures important in Barbara Hepworth's garden design?

Textures, defined by the size and shape of leaves, are integral to creating the calm and contemplative atmosphere in the garden, contributing to its vibrancy and interest throughout the year.