RHS Badminton 2026

A celebration of compost and community

This garden, designed for the RHS Badminton Flower Show 2026, celebrates all elements of compost and community. Compost feeds soil fertility, which creates a thriving ecosystem helping plants grow more healthily. The garden has a naturalistic woodland-edge theme with plants that thrive in fertile soils. Open areas laid to woodchip contrast with full planting to represent the green and brown materials required for good compost.

The plant colour scheme includes faded pinks, reds and copper tones to reflect gradual decay. Red stems on some of the planting (such as Gillenia trifoliata) represent the composting worm Eisenia fetida. Whites, pinks and fresh greens provide the theme of emerging life and fertility.

Deadwood structures in the design provide sculptural interest and habitat for detrivores. An enclosed log structure incorporates finished compost. Vertical character plants represent the dynamic shift of emergence, celebrating new life from organic waste. A log laid flat displays a message celebrating the magic of decay.

The inspiration for the garden stems from BATCOM, my local community composting scheme of which I am one of the directors. During my involvement I have observed the development of this collective endeavour as both a welcome space and a local community resource. This led me to reflect on parallels within the ecosystem of compost itself, and how decay feeds vitality through community. Community exists across both micro- and macro-levels - from microbial and fungal activity in the composting process, through complex layers of organisms using decaying vegetation for food and shelter, expanding out to schemes that support community between people, promoting human networks.

I am very honoured and excited to have the chance to build this garden at the show, which will be open from Wed 8 - Sun 12 July 2026. Further details here.