Downing Gardens Team wins Platinum Award at BBC Gardeners' World Fair
The Downing Gardens Team has won a Platinum Award for their show garden entry at the BBC Gardeners' World Autumn Fair.
The Fair took place over the weekend at Audley End House in Essex. The Downing entry Rest to follow your path: A wellbeing garden was designed to demonstrate how gardens are integral spaces for finding sanctuary, inspiration, and positive mental and physical health.
Features of the garden included a bright tropical border, ceramic daffodils and tulips, an eco beehive, logs from the old Downing cedar tree, and a cat sculpture donated by Cats Protection Cambridge. Elements of Downing's tranquil rose garden, where students escape to study and reflect, were also incorporated into the design.
Sustainability was a key feature to the design of the show garden; reclaimed materials were used in the paving and gabion contents, as well as the pagoda, which was constructed by local charity Phoenix Trust. Many of the plants used were propagated and grown on site.
The project was led by Head Gardener Jack Sharp, with the involvement of every single member of the Gardens Team in its concept, design and construction.
Jack said: "It has been a privilege to watch the team grow in confidence and knowledge while promoting Downing’s new student wellbeing centre. I am fortunate to have such a strong and enthusiastic team.
"I'd like to thank the Phoenix Trust, Cats Protection and Eco Beehive Ltd for generously supporting the show garden. The striking pagoda, 'The Downing Cat' and the beehive were all appreciated by everyone who visited the show garden and the craftsmanship was outstanding."
Published 5 September 2023