There’s no doubt about it, the garden is a wonderful, condensed representation of the sheer powers of the living world. You could even go as far to say it is the ultimate living environment.

At the core of a nature that nurtures, heals, soothes and revitalises, gardens are key to pollination, propagation and the exponential development of plants in all their diversity. But they also offer sanctuary to the creatures that are its allies: bees, butterflies, beetles, ants, worms, birds and other related animals. Insects in particular are essential in creating a balance for life on Earth, and play a key role in human food sources. Even so, we know that in thirty years, more than 75% of flying insects have disappeared in Europe.

As a result, we have a duty to protect the garden and its associated creatures with determination and in every way we possibly can, as this fragile place is essential for our survival, provides us with the shaded, fresh and revitalizing atmosphere we need, and also produces our food, particularly fruit and vegetables. We therefore have to protect trees and flowers. Of course, water, which is key for the survival of plants, must be safeguarded, and we must also consider the garden as a whole, a complex ecosystem in which the elements interact with one another. The garden as a source of life is key in ensuring vitality, vibrancy and energy.

The challenge given to the 2024 garden designers was to illustrate this concept, and their proposals have taken all these factors into account. All the benefits, all the qualities related to the garden’s forces of life have been taken on board and showcased by the project designers. They have shown their talent for imagination and innovation, highlighting their expert know-how combined with new techniques for the protection and growth of the living, with the ultimate goal of raising awareness of the importance and diversity of the plant and animal life forces within gardens. Thanks to the quality of the plants and materials used, and the original scenarios they have created, they have managed to surprise and amaze the visitor using creativity and poetry, two key concepts at Chaumont-sur-Loire in demonstrating the fundamental role of gardens as an irreplaceable source of life and survival.