Reckless Gardener - BBC Gardeners' World Live 2006 - Record Number of RHS Gold Medals sets seal of success on Gardeners‚ World 2006

Record Number of RHS Gold Medals sets seal of success on Gardeners‚ World 2006

Britain's biggest hands-on gardening show, BBC Gardeners‚ World Live, got off to a great start at Birmingham's NEC, with the news that a record number of Royal Horticultural Society Gold Awards have been granted by judges this year.

Four gardens in the Show Garden category were awarded Gold. The Best Show garden was awarded for Reaseheath College's educational creation 'The Plot' focussing on healthy living for children. A domed greenhouse with exotic carnivorous plants and edible plants from around the world is a special feature of the plot.

In the Small Gardens category 'Sea Hear' (pictured above) (Designed by Tracy Forster) won Gold and Best Small Garden. Tracy's garden for National Talking Newspapers was a delight. The illusion of being at the seaside was perfectly captured and the artwork by Julie Cope added just that extra dimension to the garden. It was the first time Tracy had exhibited and she was naturally delighted with her dual award. Planting included Achillea, Armeria maritima, Centaurea cyanus, Eryngium bourgatii Picos Blue‚ and Stipa tenuissima. The garden has been designed to be an ideal place to relax for both sighted and visually impaired people and works very well.

Also in the small gardens category 'Cunard Mayflower Garden', (pictured right) a 'Timeless voyage between two worlds', designed by Anthea Guthrie, and 'The Y-Fronts' designed by Gill Oliver, both won Gold.

One of the biggest attractions at this year's show, and one I think a lot of people will talk about, is bound to be The Labyrinth, (Silver Flora) designed by John Cavill of Simply Gardening. The biggest show garden ever constructed at Gardeners' World, The Labyrinth (pictured below) is one of the best interactive gardens I have ever seen. I feel sure that during the five days of the show, thousands will walk through the garden and enjoy the planting (there are even benches to sit on) which is a fantastic concept.

John was very much aware that most show gardens can only be viewed from 'outside' and so wanted to make his as relevant to visitors as possible. After walking through the Labyrinth you are supposed to feel invigorated and full of energy which is just as well because you need it - there is so much in this show to see!

You can also walk through 'Unseen Possibilities' (Bronze) designed by Dennis Hennessy. Created for the needs of disabled gardeners, with easy acess and low maintenance, the garden has special surfaces to make walking or wheelchair use easy, and brings you in through a sluice gate where you are surrounded by walls of water. Planting includes a low maintenance scheme with bamboos and moisture-loving grasses. It was while working with disabled people that Dennis conceived the idea for his garden. "It is a question of integration not separation" he says and certainly his garden may be a little bit of fantasy but it does have an important message.

It's good to see so many college entries at shows highlighting the work and indeed giving valuable practical experience to, the future designers, horticulturalists and landscape architects. Learn more about some of the college exhibits at this year's show in our special section.

The "Cottage Garden for Climate Change" (Bronze) provided practical ideas that you can use in your own gardens. One highlight of this garden was the attractive Robinia pseudoacacia Frisia‚ which brought everything alive for me.

'Dining Out' (Silver-Gilt) (pictured above) designed by Sue Adcock, highlights how you can turn your garden into a fifth room in which to enjoy alfresco dining. Lavendula angustifolia frame the garden and a timber garden room protects the dining area and kitchen from the elements. I loved the silver figure arising out of the blue pool which I thought perfectly set off the garden.

Two of Diarmuid Gavin's Garden School students. Celia Preston and Lee Bestal exhibited at the show, demonstrating just how much they learnt from their five months tuition with Dermot in 2005. Celia's 'The Cereal Garden' (Silver) (pictured above designer Celia Preston) was stunning. She uses wheat, barley and oats in an imaginative display allowing us to appreciate, perhaps for the first time, just how aesthetic such planting can be in a garden. Lee was awarded a Bronze for 'A Room with a View', his first solo creation, providing us with a place to entertain and relax with a circular decked area that revolves giving everyone a complete view of the garden.

The big red lillies featured in 'Zing' (Bronze) - Barleywood Garden Designs - made a splash with me (Lilium Fireking‚) as did the hostas - this really is a nice contemporary garden with its raised platform decking and hot colours.

Talk show icon Michael Parkinson (pictured right) was presented with a rose named in his honour on the first day of the show. The Parky‚ rose reflects two of his greatest passions - Yorkshire and cricket - its fully open blooms are practically pure white with subtle variations around white, blushing to soft pearl in the fresh opening bloom and developing a nuance of light apricot in the autumn and during cool periods. Although Michael admits that Mary is really the gardener he said: "I look forward to seeing it in our garden standing along side my Geoffrey Boycott rose. All I need is a daisy named after Dicky Bird and my garden will be a paradise." Michael was clearly delighted with the honour.

Commenting on the record number of RHS Medals awarded at the show, Bob Sweet, RHS Judging Organiser said: "It has been an exceptional year for BBC Gardeners' World Live. The exhibitors have truly staged magnificent displays this year and have beaten all previous records. The standard of show gardens underlines the importance of the show in the gardening calendar."

Picture credits to banner above - from l-r - Modern Gardens, designed by Edyta Garden Design. Shakespears Birthplace Trust, designed by Barry Locke & Brian Fox. Embrace designed by Dennis Hennessy..