As the press preview for BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2024 started, exhibitors were putting the final touches to gardens and displays, and the judges were still deliberating. The show at Birmingham NEC has an informality that I love, while the design contest, which ranges from borders to small gardens, is often more relatable than at other shows.
This year, I was in agreement with the judges about the best garden. I picked out the ‘Eco Oasis Garden’ in the APL (Association of Professional Landscapers) Avenue as my favourite and it proved a winner, getting a Platinum Award along with Best in Show and Best Construction. It was designed by Dan Hartley Gardens with landscaping by Tisserand English Gardens.
I really liked the contrast of heights and the blocks of hard landscaping set against the planting with the grasses particularly effective.
Running through the design was a system of Corten steel water features – with the water dyed a pleasing black for beautiful reflections – and a rill with fall that added the sound of moving water.
The headline show garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2024 was by Adam Frost and combined his love of plants and food.
‘The Chef’s Table’ had an outdoor cooking and dining area, and edibles, such as climbing beans, were threaded through the planting.
I liked the way the runoff from the kitchen roof was channelled into a water feature made from a recycled galvanised trough.
Food was at the heart of Pip Probert’s show garden ‘The Viewer’s Garden’, which was based on ideas from Gardeners’ World viewers. This was a garden for growing using recycled materials, such as old pallets for raised beds and the potting shed.
It also found favour with the judges, winning platinum.
Many of the gardens featured innovative bug hotels, from the very simple gathering of twigs, to those where old logs had been drilled to make homes for insects.
Some were incorporated into seats in both gardens and borders as seen in the gold medal-winning ‘Lunatica’ designed by Joshua Fenton on APL Avenue, and the Beautiful Border ‘Following in my Footsteps’ designed by Leanne Wood, which won Best Beautiful Border, Best BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Subscriber Border and a platinum award.
A more unusual nod to wildlife was on Ben Shutler’s design for the Showcase Gardens, ‘A Plot Amongst The Chickens’. It must be unique among flower show entries for having chickens on it.
There were many familiar names in the Floral Marquee, including Proctor’s Nursery which followed their recent gold medal at RHS Chelsea with a top platinum award.
In the heart of the marquee, was the first International Orchid Show to be held as part of Gardeners’ World Live. It had displays by orchid groups from around the country as well as plants for sale and expert advice.
The weather on press day was mixed – a bit of sunshine, thankfully no rain, but not very warm. So, the Mediterranean-themed gardens seemed a tad optimistic. That said, I loved the colours on ‘Notes from a Mediterranean Garden’ by Katerina Kantalis, which won gold.
Also warming up the day was the Beautiful Border, ‘My Garden Escape’ by Kitti Kovacs (also pictured top of this post). It won a gold medal and the award for the Best Showcase Garden.
The vibrant planting really appealed and, after many hours, wandering around the show, I was sorely tempted to try those chairs!
Enjoyed this? You can read more of my show reports here.
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