A rendering of the UK Garden at the 15th China (Wenzhou) International Garden Expo. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]
The UK Garden is taking shape at the Wenzhou Garden Expo Park, marking a new chapter in cultural exchanges between Wenzhou and the United Kingdom.
The project originated from overseas Wenzhou native Lin Changling, honorary chairman of the UK Belt and Road Association, who hoped to contribute to his hometown by introducing British garden design. Through his efforts and international partners, a leading British horticultural team was assembled, including designers and ecologists involved in projects such as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the UK National Wildflower Centre.
Rather than replicating a traditional British garden, the team aimed to interpret the spirit of contemporary British naturalistic gardening in southern China, emphasizing ecological planting, seasonal change, and harmony with the landscape.
Covering about 2,500 square meters on a steep slope of Xianmen Mountain, the garden will feature terraced flower beds, winding paths, and viewing platforms that transform the challenging terrain into a walkable landscape. Key features include restored British red phone booths and post boxes, a Cotswolds-style country cottage, and layered plantings adapted to Wenzhou's climate.
Chinese and British teams have worked closely to localize plant selections, construction methods, and pathways while preserving the original design intent. Native or locally sourced plants were chosen to recreate the structure and visual richness of British-style flower borders.
A rendering of the UK Garden at the 15th China (Wenzhou) International Garden Expo. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]
The garden is expected to open at the 15th China (Wenzhou) International Garden Expo, which runs from April to July, and is designed for long-term public use beyond the expo period. Organizers see it as a living example of international cooperation, cultural dialogue, and sustainable landscape design in Wenzhou.
