Gardeners' World Live 2024
Share my space - with nature.
Creating this garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC was an incredible experience. It involved plenty of hard work, and the occasional challenge. Howerver it was hugely enjoyable and immensely rewarding.
I was absolutely delighted to be awarded Gold for the garden.
It was also a real thrill to meet some of my gardening heroes and to see the garden featured on the BBC Gardeners’ World television programme. It was a fantastic experience from start to finish.
This garden had two aims: firstly, to demonstrate that it is possible to create a wildlife-friendly garden without embarking on a complex rewilding project; and secondly, to show that a garden designed with wildlife in mind can be just as attractive, enjoyable and usable as a more traditional garden.
The design considered two contrasting microclimates within the garden. A shaded area, influenced by surrounding trees and buildings, had a more naturalistic character, with ferns, hosta and other shade-loving plants. In contrast, the sunnier, drier area had a more contemporary feel, with drought-tolerant planting set into a gravel mulch.
A number of simple features provided additional habitat and shelter for wildlife, including a Corten steel gabion planted with succulents, a dead hedge and two small wildlife ponds. Together, these elements demonstrated how relatively simple design choices can create a garden that works well for both people and wildlife.
Corten gabion style planter by Stark & Greensmith
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Carleen Osborne Garden Design
Garden Design in the East Midlands.
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