The designer of This Garden Isn’t Finished Without You, sponsored by The Methodist Church, receives sustainability prize
The Environmental Innovation Award is new to RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, having been introduced at RHS Chelsea this year following the Green Audit of Show gardens. The winner was decided by Head of Sustainability at the RHS, Malcolm Anderson, Chartered Environmentalist Liz Nicholson and Chartered Landscape Architect, Paul Cowell. The judges were particularly impressed by Ollie’s research into the environmental impact of the materials he used and his careful planning to reduce the carbon footprint of the garden.
“Everything has been constructed to be easily dismantled and will be reconstructed to suit its permanent home.”
- Malcolm Anderson, RHS Head of Sustainability
Cork-clad walls on This Garden Isn’t Finished Without You sponsored by The Methodist Church
Ollie Pike returns to RHS Tatton Park after being a Young Designer finalist in 2023 with the Bible Society: Psalm 27 Garden. His Show Garden this year was picked out by the judges for its innovative use of sustainable materials.
Materials in the garden
Both the designer and the sponsor are passionate advocates of sustainable practices, with the design reflecting the Methodist Church’s commitment to environmental sustainability and achieving Net Zero by 2030. The garden will be relocated to the grounds of a nearby Methodist Church after the Show. Materials used, such as the cork-clad wall, are all net-zero and once the garden has been relocated, in its expected lifetime, it will sequester more carbon than it produces.
Sustainable features of the garden:
- Cork-clad walls & willow sculptures, which are net-zero materials
- Bright colourful paving made from recycled aggregates in the marble industry (see image above)
- Climate resilient, drought-tolerant planting
- Regenerative materials to create sustainable boundaries rather than walls or fences
- Soft, permeable gravel paths
Runners up:
Both gardens feature clever use of reclaimed materials procured from their local areas, to fit with the environment of the garden and to reduce haulage (typically haulage has around 60% environmental impact).
See the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Winner:
Giulio Giorgi’s World Child Cancer’s Nurturing Garden
See the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival Winner:
Juliet Sargeant for The Lion King Anniversary Garden
