Celebrating member success at Gardeners’ World Live as award winners announced

16 June 2023

The winners at BBC Gardeners’ World Live were announced yesterday and we are thrilled that they include Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) members and Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) members.

The event which is running at the Birmingham NEC from 15-18 June, showcases the top gardens, designs and landscaping with winners across a number of categories, including Best Show Garden, Best Beautiful Border and Best Construction Landscaper.

Best Show Garden

Newson Health Menopause Garden, designed by Ruth Gwynn and built by APL members Keyscape Landscape Design and Construction Ltd and TASK, won Platinum and Best Show Garden. Garden writer, presenter and designer, David Hurrion, presented the show’s top award to multi award-winning designer, Ruth Gwynn, Dr. Louise Newson, founder of the Newson Health Menopause Clinic, and construction lead, Rupert Keys. The walk-through Show Garden is designed to be a safe, tranquil and comfortable space for women to reflect on their health, feel a sense of community, and get information and advice from menopause experts. Highlight features have been designed to alleviate symptoms, with an outdoor bath for relaxation, a yoga space for gentle exercise, and an outdoor kitchen for enjoying healthy, nourishing food with company.  After BBC Gardeners’ World Live, elements of the Newson Health Menopause Garden will be relocated to various local communities.

Best Construction Landscaper

Winner of Best Construction Landscaper at BBC Gardeners’ World Live and a Gold award was APL member Design It Landscapes for the Liz Earle Beauty Co.’s Botanical Show Garden, designed by multi award-winning Lucy Bravington. The garden is a peaceful oasis showcasing perennial plants, including some of those featured in the brand’s skincare products.

Dan Ryan from the West Midlands-based Design It Landscapes, said:

“We’re so chuffed, and particularly pleased that the assessors recognised the trees and soft landscaping elements of the design.”

Designer Lucy Bravington said:

“I’m thrilled with the result. It’s been a real team effort and an enjoyable build, despite the heat. We hope visitors will love the garden and will take lots of ideas and inspiration away with them.”

APL Avenue Winners

Among the APL Avenue Show Gardens, themed 'Take Me Home', bursting with ideas to inspire your plot at home, APL member winners were:

Gold

• The Beauty in Small Spaces, designed by TJ Kennedy and Kerianne Fitzpatrick

Silver Merit

• Path of Renewal, designed by David Negus, The 3D Gardener and Adscape
• SubAqua Designed by Joshua Fenton, Fenton Gardens Ltd

Silver

• The Chic Garden Getaway Designed by Katerina Kantalis Garden Design; Built by New Look Landscapes Ltd

Phil Tremayne, APL General Manager, said:

“The standard of this year’s APL Avenue was as high as it has ever been. The theme given to members was ‘Take Me Home’, and the interpretations from the designers and landscapers involved were excellent.

The Association of Professional Landscapers have been a collaborative partner with BBC Gardeners’ World Live for many years. The relationship allows many landscapers and designers a first chance at building show gardens.

It is fantastic that BBC Gardeners’ World Live back this initiative, and we thank them for their support again this year.”

Plant of the Year

The Plant of the Year was awarded to Rosa ‘Peter’s’ Persica and is from HTA member Whartons Garden Roses, bred by Chris Warner and named in honour of the late Peter Seabrook who spotted it at Rochford’s International Rose trials in Hertford and went on to feature it in his popular gardening column in The Sun newspaper. It is fragrant with a red eye and vibrant yellow flowers, a repeat flowering patio climber. Judges said the special plant reflected the special talent Seabrook had for spotting a winner.

Other HTA members picking up accolades for Plant of the Year were:

• Coreopsis ‘Chorasan Burgundy and White’ introduced by HTA member Volmary which was second overall and also won Best Perennial, with larger flowers blooming all summer long and suitable for larger pots and containers.
• Dianthus’ Morello Star’ from Whetman Plants International was second, and Dahlia ‘Sincerity Bronze Orange’ from Allensmore was joint third.

Marquee awards

There were awards for BBC Gardeners’ World Live’s floral exhibitors too, including The Geoff Hamilton Award for Best Floral Marquee Exhibit, which was awarded to HTA member Grafton Nursery (Eucalyptus trees, Platinum award).