The results are in from this years Young Gardeners of the Year competition!
This year, the competition was as fierce as ever and the students worked so hard to create the six stunning show gardens which are being displayed at the Ascot Spring Garden Show.
All six of the gardens made extremely clever use of space, adhered to the brief by incorporating aspects of sustainability, and brought in some inspiring and innovative design elements.
Judging has been a tough job as all the gardens were so deserving and and variety and creativity was truly inspiring. But the results are in! Read on to find out which college came out on top this year…
Capel Manor
Gold Award and Best in Show
Capel Manor College came out on top this year with their inspired take on the equestrian urban garden theme. Their garden was based on the silks of Gay Kelleway – the first female jockey to win at Royal Ascot.
Capel Manor’s finished garden is stylish yet functional with a zig zag stone path to create the illusion of a larger space. The planting scheme brings lovely hints to the colour scheme based on Kelleway.
Pershore
Gold
Pershore College also did fantastically well, bagging themselves the gold for their garden The Winner’s Circle.
Pershore’s finished garden is minimal and cool with great use of drought resistant planting.
The students have encouraged nature through the placement of wildlife byways allowing for the movement of hedgehogs alongside a green roof pergola to attract insects and provide a pleasant outlook across the garden.
Writtle
Silver Gilt
A close second for Writtle College, who’s garden featured a stunning abstract instillation of raceday.
The finished garden is a beautifully sleek and modern space offset by the pretty pink blossom from the prunus accolade.
Carex ‘Prarie fire’ grasses are planted in swathes which provide calming movement and a gently sound, inter planted with Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’ to provide some of the colours in this landscape.
Shuttleworth
Silver
Also taking home the silver was Shuttleworth College, with their keen focus on sustainability with a lovely, rustic feel.
Sound, touch, taste and smell have been incorporated to provide a truly three-dimensional design with the use of water features and a variety of textured plants for a natural wind chime effect.
The tiered raised bed featured in the garden has a pipe installed to allow water to drain through the media and through the reed bed, allowing water soluble nutrients to pass through and be utilised, controlling surface water.
Myerscough
Silver Gilt
Myerscough College were also awarded Silver for their ‘Northern Soul’ garden which incorporated elements of modern living and sustainabiliry alongside an innovative take on edible gardening in the form of a vertical living wall.
The students worked hard to complete this fantastic urban garden with some really unique features including a bespoke metal sculpture and clever use of vertical planting. The look is fresh and modern with contemporary lighting and fun colourful seating.
Reaseheath
Bronze
Reaseheath College were awarded the bronze for their lovely garden which focused on edible gardening and superfoods.
The tiered raised beds employed here are a clever use of a small space and lend a wonderfully country feel to an urban location. Light colours open up the garden and a variety of textures are also used.
Vertical elements are in the form of structures and planting to provide additional interest and the choice of materials reflects a focus on sustainability.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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