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RHS Sandringham Flower Show 2026

My Long Border Design

The initial brief from the RHS was 'Problem-solving'

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My border design was inspired by the challenges posed by high‑density new‑build housing. Many modern developments offer minimal planting, leaving homeowners with bare gardens defined by fences and surrounding rooftops. This disconnects private gardens from the wider environment; despite the important role they play in supporting biodiversity and mitigating the effects of climate change. The growing availability of artificial turf and plastic plants raises concerns about the future of natural planting in domestic spaces.

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This border aims to demonstrate how a single garden area can support biodiversity and help reconnect homeowners with nature. The planting scheme combines grasses, evergreens, perennials, and edible species, with a strong emphasis on pollinator‑friendly and drought‑tolerant plants. Features encouraging wildlife are integrated throughout and living willow structures echo the surrounding skyline while providing natural support for climbing plants.

One key feature of my design is a wildlife container pond

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Providing water in the garden is one of the most wildlife friendly features you can add to your garden.

Frogs, toads and newts will use even the smallest bodies of water to breed. Small insects like caddis flies, damselflies, dragonflies, mayflies, pond skaters, snails and water beetles breed in water.

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How to Make a Wildlife Container Pond | RHS Advice

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With thanks to Lincolnshire Pond Plants  for you help and support with our pond planting for RHS Sandringham Flower Show 2026.

​Hedgehog Highway

 

Hedgehogs need to be able to roam far and wide in search of food, mates and nesting sites - the average hedgehog roams 2km a night! When new housing is built suddenly the access to roam in those places is lost. The solution is to create access points between gardens. Get together with your neighbours to make a hole in your fence or dig a channel beneath garden boundaries to connect your gardens and make a highway for the hedgehogs to cross safely in your neighbourhood.

At the same time you could consider a hedgehog home, this will encourage them to stay by giving them a safe place to hibernate over winter.

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Hedgehog Street​

Plant List

  • Ilex crenata -  Stokes

  • Panicum - Buffalo Green

  • Malus domestica - Spartan

  • Oenothera lindheimeri - Rosy Jane and Cherry Brandy

  • Stipa tenuissim - Pony Tails

  • Verbena bonariensis - rigida

  • Salvia nemorosa - Caradonna

  • Pennisetum alopecuroides - Red Head

  • Agastache - Black Adder

  • Heuchera - Green Spice

  • Heuchera - Forever Purple

  • Heuchera - Lime Marmalade

  • Alchemilla mollis

  • Lonicera periclymenum - Serotina

  • Allium - Summer Beauty & Lavender Bubbles & Millenium & Serendipity

  • Panicum miliaceum - Violaceum

  • Helenuim - Moerheim Beauty

  • Scabiosa - Pink Mist

  • Scabiosa -Oxford Blue & Black Knight

  • Echinacea -  Sunseekers Mineola

  • Salix sp - live willow whips used to weave

  • Pond plants - Pontederia Lancelot , Phyla nodiflora, Mimulus cardinalis, Mentha pulegium, Dichromena

  • Mentha - Spearmint (Mint)

  • Oenothera erythosepala - Evening Primrose

  • Thymus praecox - Coccineus (Creeping Thyme)

  • Foeniculum vulgare - Purpurea (Bronze Fennel)

  • Allium schoenoprasum - Chives

  • Viola

  • Calendula officinalis - Indian Prince

  • Tropaeolum majus - Mixed (Nasturtium)

  • Thunbergia alata - Black eyed Susan)

  • Phaseolus vulgaris - Tender Green (Dwarf French Bean)

  • Beta vulgaris - Chard

  • Spring Onion

  • Lactuca sativa - Lettuce

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