Designer Mark Eveleigh has beaten three former Best in Show winners to take the top award at this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival.
The Worcestershire-based designer won over the RHS judges with his garden highlighting the work of Macmillan Cancer Support.
“Wow! What an immense accolade,” said Mark, who won gold at Malvern in 2008 and 2010. “I’m delighted to be taking the top title. This award represents an enormous pat on the back from the industry I’m so proud to be a part of.”
The top award in the Festival Gardens contest has gone to Gloucestershire’s Christian Dowle for his celebration of Malvern’s water spouts.
In the Show Gardens contest Graduate Gardeners from Bisley, Gloucestershire, Villaggio Verde from Worcestershire and Howle Hill Nursery, in Herefordshire, all previous winners of the Best in Show title, were awarded gold medals, along with Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, who has made his show garden debut at Malvern.
Emily Sharpe of Garden Stories won silver-gilt, Milleflori and The Woodcutters Garden were both awarded silver and Martyn Wilson’s design for The Primrose Hospice got bronze.
Styling Homes and Gardens and Pro-Gardens both won silver for their Festival Gardens.
Ken Nottage, CEO of Three Counties, said: “Quite simply the talent speaks for itself this year. 2016 sees the Show Gardens take up more space than ever before and the talent has matched the bigger spots, going more grand and elaborate than we could ever have imagined.”
The gardens were assessed by a team of RHS judges, looking at delivery, design, atmosphere, planting and construction. The judges included top designers Paul Hervey-Brookes, Arne Maynard and James Alexander-Sinclair.
Still to be decided is the People’s Choice Award, which will be voted for by the public online at www.rhs.org.uk/malvernpeopleschoice
• For a more detailed look at the gardens see here
• Details of what there is to see at this year’s show here
• Malvern gets romantic here
• For information about tickets and admission times, visit the Three Counties website
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I am so pleased for Mark ,,,, what a fabulous result ! It shows that great talent doesn’t need to be big ! Mark has been such a great neighbour during the build and he totally deserves this year’s accolade …. the design delivers his unique style and his attention to detail was superb .
It’s been a great Malvern and we’re so proud to be part of what looks to be the best RHS Malvern Spring Show ever .
Our Gold medal is just so celebrated and is a testiment to our wonderful team…. it conveys Peace and Calm and was a delight to work with beautful plants , rocks , and water with a fresh take on a Japanse Tea House !
Chelsea started today for L’Occitane so it’s back to what w do for the next one !
Really looking forward to seeing the gardens. Well done, great result.