The Plantman's Ice Garden - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fthe-plantmans-ice-garden) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fthe-plantmans-ice-garden) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](https://gardensdb.com/help) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/gardens/the-plantmans-ice-garden/primary_image.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/rhs-chelsea-flower-show-2022) Sanctuary Garden ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-silver-gilt-medal/icon.webp) Silver Gilt Medal The Plantman's Ice Garden =========================== Designed by John Warland At a glance Show RHS Chelsea Flower Show Year 2022 Category Sanctuary Garden Large Show Garden Photo: Royal Horticultural Society About this garden The story ----------- Since 1994, 28 trillion tonnes of ice have disappeared from the surface of the planet and all-summer ice is scheduled to disappear within the next 20 years. This permafrost holds around 1.5 million trillion tonnes of carbon. Forests, plants and ice currently insulate the ground below, but more frequent fires, rising temperatures and higher rainfalls are stripping this layer of protection. As the ice melts, the enormous carbon bank of decomposed organic matter is released. The melting substrate often undermines tree roots giving rise to the appearance of ‘drunken forests’. While melting permafrost offers an immediate threat, it also contains a historic botanical treasure chest. In 2012, Russian scientists discovered and successfully germinated a cache of Silene stenophylla seeds, thought to have been buried more than 30,000 years ago. It is hoped that this dormant seedbank might hold the genetic code to help develop sustainable crops, medicine and biofuel adapted to climate change. The monolithic ice cube is a reminder of the climate perils facing our planet, while offering hope that the botanical bounty found within might ensure humankind’s onward survival. Award Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-silver-gilt-medal/icon.webp) Silver Gilt Medal RHS The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ ![John Warland](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/people/john-warland/profile_photo.webp) John Warland Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/john-warland) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/23918aad-7d9e-42df-80da-ea22994cc463/conversions/image-4-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/d348453b-eb6e-4fc1-8383-ee83fdad4c64/conversions/image-2-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/25a0a8f5-4cd7-45f8-a6e0-48242dd5ba37/conversions/image-3-gallery.webp) ![]() / Photo: Brought to life by Organisations --------------- ### Landscaper 1 - [ ![The Plantman & Co](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/the-plantman-co/logo.webp) The Plantman & Co ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/the-plantman-co) ### Sponsor 1 - [ ![The Plantman & Co](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/the-plantman-co/logo.webp) The Plantman & Co ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/the-plantman-co) ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. 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