Gardens of the Future

Unique Visions for a Changing World

Accompanies Unearthed, the British Library Exhibition edited by Ruth Chivers, with a foreword by Olivia Laing.

Ten award-winning designers bring their unique vision to a series of garden types--both public and private--to inspire, motivate and provoke. Given a brief that extends to a maximum of 50 years into the future, their original designs mitigate the effects of a changing climate, encourage biodiversity, and address issues of legacy and land ownership, changing societal needs and individual wellbeing. They provide hope in a time of uncertainty and emphasize the power of gardening to nurture nature and adapt to change.

Interspersed between these original designs are features linking the garden types to themes and items in the British Library exhibition, Unearthed: The Power of Gardening, which draws on the Library’s rich botanical and horticultural collections.

About the Designers

The Food and Medicine Garden by Harry Holding, The Botanic Garden by Eelco Hooftman, The Small Garden by Tom Massey, The Family Garden by Ann-Marie Powell, The Garden Square by Tonkin Liu, The Garden City by Nelson Byrd Woltz, The Rural Garden by Andy Sturgeon, The Indoor Garden by Sophia Kaplan and Lauren Camilleri, The Community Garden by Grow to Know, The Garden in Space by Sarah Eberle

Ruth Chivers is a garden designer and writer with over thirty years of experience. She has contributed to numerous garden books and magazines, focusing primarily on garden design. Known for her evocative exploration, Ruth specializes in twentieth-century landscapes, contemporary garden design, and innovative planting ideas. Her most recent book, A Garden A Day (2023), presents an eclectic collection of 366 gardens from around world--spanning history, imaginary spaces, and gardens that have inspired artists and writers.