The sustainable and serene Blue Mind Garden that we supported at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show is setting down roots at our very own Centre of Ocean Excellence, the National Marine Aquarium!
The Blue Mind Garden, a gold medal winner and best balcony and container garden, at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, has been relocated to the garden of the National Marine Aquarium, ready for summer. Designed by garden designer Ashleigh Aylett and sponsored by Navium Marine, the garden will offer a lasting sanctuary for the community, inspired by the calming power of the Ocean.
The garden draws on the principles of the Blue Mind Theory, the idea that proximity to water can have a deeply restorative effect on our mental wellbeing. The concept, pioneered by marine biologist Dr Wallace J. Nichols is brought to life through tranquil water features, soft coastal planting and innovative sustainable materials.
The Blue Mind Garden has been reconfigured and installed in the outdoor garden of our Centre of Ocean Excellence, the National Marine Aquarium, as a permanent, public wellbeing space. The project is part of our Blue Mind Hub, a community initiative which supports mental health through connecting people with the Ocean. Visitors to the National Marine Aquarium will be able to enjoy the garden as part of their visit, and local volunteers will help maintain it as a living, breathing part of the community.
Freyja Thomson-Alberts, Ocean Engagement Manager, at Ocean Conservation Trust, said: “Welcoming the Blue Mind Garden to the national Marine Aquarium is a meaningful moment for us. It captures the essence of what out Blue Mind Hub, our community initiative, is all about – creating spaces that nurture both people and the planet. We hope it will offer a lasting sense of calm and connection for everyone who visits.”
Ashleigh Aylett, designer of the Blue Mind Garden, said: “This garden is more than just a beautiful space – it’s a sensory experience designed to calm the mind and connect us with the sea. Bringing it to Plymouth, where the idea first took root, feels like the perfect full circle.”
If you would like to find out more about the Blue Mind Hub, then email us by clicking the button below.