Landscape design by Hamzah-Adam Desai of Tone & Manner.
This silver-medal winning garden was showcased at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in partnership with MS Amlin.
The MS Amlin Peace of Mind garden, designed by Hamzah-Adam Desai of Tone & Manner, explores the psychology of colour and its effect on how we experience the world around us. The design played with a kaleidoscope of colour to show how planting choices can influence our mood – evoking feelings of joy, calm and a sense of ease.
The vision
The intention behind the Peace of Mind garden was to be a place where colour and nature work to lift the mood and benefit mental wellbeing. At its core, the garden reflects the exchange between people and plants.
“The aim of the garden is to be grounded in the moment to mindfully observe plants and colour… We tend to plants and they tend to us.”
Key features
Set within the context of a domestic London garden or courtyard, the planting scheme draws on the principles of the colour wheel, brought into a three-dimensional space where hues are chosen to complement and contrast – creating combinations that evoke emotional impact, especially to support a sense of calm and restoration.
Custom seating is tucked in among the plants, so visitors can rest and take in the soothing effect of being in nature. This considered approach extends to the planters, which are made from a blend of recycled plastic and glass, and both practical and mindful of the environment.
Taking pause
The garden creates a space that encourages visitors to be present – to pause, observe and connect with the planting. It explores how colour and planting can support mental wellbeing, and offer an uplifting, restorative experience.
Key plant list
- Nandina domestica ‘Gulfstream’
- Polystichum aculeatum
- Ajuga reptans ‘Burgandy Glow’
- Aquilegia chrysantha ‘Yellow Queen’
- Disporum longistylum ‘Night Heron’
- Epimedium ‘Domino’
- Erysimum ‘Apricot Twist’
- Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’
- Lamium ‘White Nancy’
- Penstemon ‘Onyx & Pearls’
- Tellima grandiflora Rubra Group
—
After being showcased at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, this garden will be relocated to Haven House Children’s Hospice, Woodford Essex. The hospice provides day care, over-night stays, end of life care, bereavement support, as well as life-enriching activities such as sensory play, music therapy and physiotherapy.
—
—
Tone & Manner garden design was founded by award-winning garden designer and gardener, Hamzah-Adam Desai. Prior to this he spent 21 years working as a graphic designer and is a graduate of Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design.
With a firm grounding in design he combines his love of gardening and plants with spatial design creating innovative contemporary climate-friendly gardens which have a positive benefit on wildlife as well as his clients mental and physical wellbeing.
—
More RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gardens here
