Profile
After many years working in higher education, I decided on a career change and entered the field of horticulture. I have since obtained the RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture and completed the Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture both at Derby College’s Broomfield Hall. These courses gave me a comprehensive training in all aspects of garden planning and design.
Ecological value – Wildlife and the wider ecosystem should be an integral part of any garden design. By providing food, shelter and habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife, we can create healthier and more balanced gardens. A garden that supports a healthy ecosystem is ultimately a better garden for people and wildlife alike.
Whilst at Broomfield I had the chance to design, project manage and help build, with my fellow students, a show garden for the BBC Gardeners' World Live event at the NEC. The garden was awarded a Silver Merit.
After this I embarked on the next exciting chapter - the starting of a garden design service -
Carleen Osborne Garden Design.
I am a pre-registered member of the Society of Garden + Landscape Designers and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.
Since then, I have gone on to design and build further showcase gardens at BBC Gardeners' World Live. In 2024, Share My Space – With Nature was awarded Gold, followed in 2025 by Just a Garden..., which received Platinum and was named Best Showcase Garden.
Awards
My design principles
Sustainability – Wherever possible, plants and landscaping materials should be sourced responsibly, with preference given to sustainable and, where possible, locally sourced options. Good design should consider not only how a garden looks today, but also its environmental impact and longevity.
My aim when designing a garden is to create something that not only meets my clients’ needs and aspirations, but exceeds their expectations.
Alongside this, I believe every garden should be designed around three fundamental principles:
Resilience – Our weather is becoming increasingly unpredictable, with periods of excessive rainfall followed by prolonged periods of drought. Gardens need to be designed to cope with these extremes. Planting should be carefully selected to suit the site and its conditions, creating gardens that are resilient and able to thrive despite a changing climate.
In 2026, I was honoured to be invited to create a garden at Bord Bia Bloom, Ireland's premier garden festival. I Can Create That Garden was awarded Gold and was also named Best Small Show Garden.
© Bord Bia Bloom Image credit: Fennell Photography
Carleen Osborne Garden Design
Garden Design in the East Midlands.
Derby, Nottingham, Leicester
© 2026 Carleen Osborne Garden Design. All rights reserved.