A deeply tactile space, Paul Hervey-Brookes’ RNIB Legacy Garden is designed to show visitors to experience the world through the eyes of someone who has lost their sight. In addition to an RHS Gold Medal, the garden was awarded Best in Show and the Best Construction Award.
Thought-provoking and challenging, the garden presents a diverse array of textures, forms, colours, and sounds, creating an immersive experience that evokes a sense of safety, beauty, and comfort.
Liz Nicholson, Chair of the Judging Panel, said: “A brave and highly effective endeavour that demonstrates the challenges of partial sight loss through a garden installation. Inspiring use of local materials and lofty yurt structures gives a wonderful three-dimensional space – pure showmanship.”
The RNIB Legacy Garden was built by Everest landscapes and GK Wilson Landscapes, and plants sourced from Bernhard’s Nursery and Deepdale Trees.
Based in France and the UK, Hervey-Brookes trained at Pershore College and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. He has designed gardens for numerous RHS Flower Shows, winning three Gold Medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, four Gold Medals and the People’s Choice Award at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, and both the Best in Show Award and the People’s Choice Award at RHS Tatton Park and RHS Chatsworth Flower Shows. An RHS judge, Hervey-Brookes has collaborated with brands such as Marks & Spencer and Bradstone, as well writing content for publications such as Cruise International and The Telegraph. Most recently, he has appeared on television for his own series Gardens of The World with Viking.TV
Award winners RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse
RHS Young Designer of the Year went to Luke Coleman for Drakkar’s Drift, a garden celebrating Scotland’s historic ties with Scandinavia, featuring a 1.5 metre plunge pool and sauna. Coleman also won Best Construction, responding to which he said: “I’m in a bit of shock to be honest, it feels quite surreal to finally be standing here in a space that started out on a bit paper and receiving these awards from the RHS is amazing, a dream come true”.
The RHS Environmental Innovation Award was presented to Lee Bestall for Hazlewood Barn – Reimagined by Bestall & Co. The materials used in the garden are 99% reclaimed or repurposed with innovative, custom-made planting medium created from construction waste. Bestall’s garden aims to illustrate how a small space can be transformed into a sustainable and beautiful garden, at limited cost using basic design principles, reclaimed materials and locally made products.
The Best Long Border award was presented to Sebastian Stall for Buglife: Habitat Mosaic. Stall’s border showcases the often-overlooked but beneficial ecological principles found in brownfield environments, spaces which are typically dismissed, yet rich in biodiversity.
In the Floral Marquee, Best Exhibit was presented to Dibleys Nurseries for their display of streptocarpus and begonias.
The RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse takes places from the 16th to the 20th of July.
