Genesis II Forest Garden

Evoking the ambiance of a forgotten paradise, our design features a tree-dominated ecosystem incorporating a mixture of native and exotic species with a dramatic naturalistic waterfall. Through the trees is a backdrop of concrete ‘tufa’ wall , cast with Incan motifs, dripping with water and covered in ferns.

A flat seating area of reclaimed timber and meditation cushions overlooks the catchment pool, which also provides a natural Jacuzzi, growing medium and wildlife habitat. Sustaining high levels of biodiversity, every plant in the garden has at least two uses; either edible or medicinal and ecological. The species used illustrate that it is possible to grow exciting exotic fruits and vegetables to supplement our conventional native species, and that both are potentially beneficial for wildlife. In this ‘micro Eden’ all available planting space, both horizontal and vertical, is used to maximise the productive and ecological yield of a small garden.

Overhead wires support a canopy of climbing plants, while a bat box, hedgehog kennel, insect hive and ‘toad stones’ provide habitats for wildlife below.

The Genesis II Forest Garden provides a practical demonstration of analogue forestry and promises an attractive incentive to encourage people to grow their own food, while creating a niche for wildlife in their gardens-contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Forest Garden 2D view		Forest Garden 3D view
Click on image to get Details		Click on image to get Details

Analogue Forestry Overview

The destruction of tropical rainforest and temperate woodlands is continuing at an inexorable rate – this destruction must not only be stopped but also reversed. Attempts to redress deforestation by developing combined systems of agriculture and forestry have been made in numerous tropical countries but it was in Sri Lanka that formal experiments in analogue forestry began.

Analogue forestry differs from other types of agroforestry systems as it focuses on the enhancement of biological diversity. By mimicking the structure and ecology of the natural forest, an analogue forest can provide a micro habitat, soil conservation, clean water, a cool and pleasant climate and environmental stability. The rich diversity of crop products provided by these systems, such as teas, herbs, tropical fruits and medicines, also spreads the risk of failure and dependency on the natural forest.

The ultimate goal of analogue forestry is to create a connected network of natural and analogous forest patches that form a continuous feature in the landscape, building up its biodiversity and resiliency. Each patch of analogue forest characterises a particular stage in the development of a natural forest and contains a balance of naturally occurring and exotic species that grow well in an area and are productive. For this reason, the principles may be applied in both tropical and temperate countries such as our own.


Helen Brown
Genesis II Forest Garden
The Royal Horticultural Society’s,
The Hampton Court Flower Show at Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey (6 - 11 July 2004)