RHS Hampton Court 2023
‘Get Started’ Show Garden
Location: RHS Hampton Court 2023
Size: ≈30 sqm
Client: Charity
Style: Wildlife woodland, with a dash of Dartmoor and “English Country Garden”.
Status: Complete
Awards: RHS Gold Medal, “Best Get Started Garden” award and People’s Choice Award for the Get Started Garden category.
Press coverage: BBC Gardener’s World, BBC London News 5th July 2023, Guardian, Gardens Illustrated, Pro Landscaper, House Beautiful, Gardening with the RHS (podcast) , Ideal Home, Kitchen Garden, Hort week, Country Smallholding, The Independent and The Garden Design Journal.
Headline sponsor: The Wildlife Trusts
Contractor: Frogheath Landscapes
Maintenance team: Gardens Revived
With thanks for loaned or gifted items to: Lux Unique, Harrod Horticultural, All Green, Bath Aqua Glass, Garden Brocante and Hotbin
The ‘Renter’s Retreat’ show garden was all about inspiring and empowering a third of our country who rent their homes, to grow their gardening ambitions for themselves and for nature.
Sponsored by The Wildlife Trusts, the garden included ideas suitable for urban homeowners and renters alike. Featuring a host of gardening ideas achievable for all without access to soil, from dismantable raised beds, reclaimed pots and a hügelkultur inspired mound to containerised trees and a wildlife pond.
Tackling all the challenges designers usually run from - small, north facing and terrible access - Zoe transformed this tiny space into a relaxing human and wildlife haven. Robust, shady multi-season planting was celebrated alongside small space home composting and water capture. Habitats for wildlife were subtly created, producing a biodiverse but calming space. A bonus to the design was that everything could be transported if the tenant or homeowner moved on.
Zoe was highly praised for this garden design, by both the judges and the general public. She was awarded an RHS Gold Medal, as well as the “Best Get Started Garden” award and was honoured to receive the coveted “People’s Choice Award” for the Get Started Garden category.
More information on how to create your own space and a full plant list can be found on The Wildlife Trusts’ website, click here.