Be inspired!

There are plenty of show gardens with eco credentials to inspire you to green up your outdoor space - the following are just a selection. There is also now a move towards show gardens being re-used in a permanent setting.

RHS Chelsea 2009

  • Future Nature a drought-resistant urban garden featuring a green roof, storm water planters and a stunning wildlife tower, it aims to both help alleviate pressure on the urban drainage infrastructure in wet weather and maximize the use of water during increasingly dry summer months.
  • The Leeds City Council HESCO rain garden a country garden that cleverly stores and channels rain from flash flooding, slowing down run off whilst remaining a relaxing retreat.
  • The Key not so much included because of the edible planting or attractive outdoor eating area, but because of how it was created, with most of the 10,000 plants being grown by homeless people and prisoners around the UK - which provides an inspiring example of what can be achieved by those in extremely difficult circumstances and is a credit to all those involved.

    • RHS Cardiff 2009

  • Eats Shoots and Leaves, a permaculture garden in April an backyard-sized urban garden based on permaculture principles, featuring plants edible in April, chickens, composting, woodstore and a greenhouse regulated by a heat sink. See also www.permaculture.org.uk for more background on permaculture.

    • Tatton Park 2008

  • Five a day with hidden play, a contemporary and practical small garden, with play space incorporated with raised beds to grow your '5 a day'.
  • Ladies that lunch promotes keeping chickens in your back garden, with benefits including use of kitchen scraps, production of compost and, of course, plenty of eggs.
  • A garden for bees is a charming, traditional looking garden, highlighting the importance of bees to gardeners and demonstrating how to provide food, plants and shelter to help in bee conservation.

    • Chelsea 2008

  • The Children's Society Garden features a family oriented front garden, with vertical bike storage, rainwater harvesting, wheelie bin storage, a living wall and self-seeding, wildlife friendly planting.
  • Urban Rain conceals a rainwater collection and irrigation system within a sophisticated front garden, with moped parking.
  • Dorset Cereals Edible Playground shows how a corner of a school playground could be adapted to grow fruit & veg.

    • Chelsea 2007

  • Urban Oasis was a unique show garden, centred around a 40 foot metal sculpture with photovoltaic petals that opened and closed, creating electricity to pump water around the garden.
  • The Fetzer Sustainable Winery Garden was a much more relaxed garden, creating a sustainable winery and vineyard packed with wildlife friendly planting and recycled materials.

    • Hampton Court 2007

  • Full Frontal was Hadlow College students' response to front gardens being paved over for parking: it created a low maintenance, wildlife friendly and much more attractive alternative.
  • The Growing Schools Garden featured herbal, medicinal and culinary plants, fruit & veg, an evolutionary garden and eco building materials. Designed by Chris Beardshaw, children also helped design and make garden features, and grew some of its plants.
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