UK: Top awards announced at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair

BBC Gardeners' World presenter, Adam Frost, commended talented garden designers, landscapers, and horticultural students at the BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair for their impressive show gardens. The fair attracted thousands of visitors to Beaulieu in the New Forest over the weekend of 2-4 May. This annual celebration of spring gardening, growing, and outdoor living attracted thousands of visitors, all on the lookout for inspiring ideas and a plant or two to take home.

Scooping the Best Showcase Garden accolade and a Platinum award was Salisbury garden designer, David Long, for Theatre of Greens. The garden portrayed David's experience of imposter syndrome, moving from the darkness of self-doubt and fear to taking steps into the light of self-belief and being 'good enough'. An imposing timber archway cast dark shadows that portrayed that life can be difficult, daunting, and overwhelming - much like stepping on stage for the first time. A scaffold board 'stage' led gradually out into the light, boosting the viewer's confidence as they reached an 'audience' of beautiful, calming foliage, the green synonymous with nature and life. Finally, the viewer experienced the joy of feeling at peace.

© BBC Gardeners’ WorldAdam Frost with David Long

On the Spring Fair's panel of expert show garden assessors were multi award-winning garden designers Richard Barnard (Kings Oak Landscapes), Shaun Beale (Woodslee Landscapes), and Alexandra Froggatt (Alexandra Froggatt Garden Design), and editor at large at Garden News, Ian Hodgson. The Spring Fair's Floral displays were assessed by expert horticulturalist, Rupert Eley from The Place for Plants in East Bergholt, Suffolk.

Ian Hodgson, Chair of assessors, said: "David's dramatic design contained a bravura performance of planting. It was understated but exciting and vibrant, depicting the designer's journey through life."

David Long said: "I'm thrilled by this award and want to thank the friends and family that pitched in to bring it together. It's very unexpected given such a high-quality collection of Showcase Gardens this year."

The BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair championed next generation horticultural talent with its College Gardens competition. Student teams from leading horticultural colleges put their design and build, project management, and teamwork skills to the test to create an eye-catching, budget-friendly garden. Capel Manor, Weymouth and Kingston Maurward, Merrist Wood, and Plumpton Colleges took on this year's challenge with a creative theme of 'Nature's Art within a Garden'. The teams were mentored by Cherry Carmen, the award-winning garden designer whose accolades include a Gold Award at BBC Gardeners' World Live.

Best College Garden and a Platinum award were awarded to students and staff from Merrist Wood College near Guildford for their garden, Nature's Gallery. This nature-inspired woodland design featured spiral forms and repurposed materials. A cattle feeder reclaimed from the college campus provided the garden's central element.

© BBC Gardeners’ WorldAdam Frost with the winners of the Best College Garden Award

Chair of assessors, Ian Hodgson, said: "This team effort showed how an idea could be transformed into an awe-inspiring garden. Recycled structures were used innovatively throughout, like the cattle feeder seating area and pond – all set in exquisite woodland. These students showed that the future of garden design is in safe hands."

Jo Manser, Group Director of Merrist Wood College's land-based facility said: "We're extremely proud of the learners' achievements this week, not just with the Platinum award but with the attributes they have shown throughout the creation of the garden. These attributes are embedded throughout our learning philosophy, showing the skills learners will need in their future careers."

Always popular at BBC Gardeners' World events were the Beautiful Borders. These 9m2 'mini but mighty' plots were packed with creative features, materials, planting, and colour schemes, and often had rich personal stories behind them. They were designed to provide inspiration that visitors could replicate in their own gardens, particularly in small spaces and challenging places. The creative theme for this year's Beautiful Borders was 'Cultivating Connections', inspired by the way that even the smallest garden space could build bonds between people, nature, cultures, and communities.

© BBC Gardeners’ World

Best Beautiful Border and a Platinum award were awarded to Arundel-based Briony and Jonathan Dakic from Dakic Garden Design for The 160th Unbirthday of Alice in Wonderland. This fantastical and playful garden marked 160 years of Lewis Carroll's beloved classic with a plant-based twist. Under a woodland canopy hung with fluttering playing cards and teacup bird feeders, the chaotic Mad Hatter's Tea Party came to life, with a spectacular "Unbirthday Cake" taking centre stage.

© BBC Gardeners’ WorldAdam Frost with the winners of the Best BB award, Briony and Jonathan Dakic

Chair of assessors, Ian Hodgson, called the Dakic's winning Border: "A triumph of imagination both in interpretation and creation."

Receiving their award for Best Beautiful Border, Briony and Jonathan Dakic said: "Words can't say how we feel right now. We've spent long days preparing this garden and it's great to get the recognition we were hoping for. We're both autistic and winning this prize is proof of what autistic people can achieve."

Best BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Subscriber Border and a Silver Merit award were presented to father and son design duo, Jonny and eight-year-old Inigo Coller from Headley in Hampshire. Their The Time Together Garden represented the unique ability of gardens and gardening to bring different generations of a family together to forge strong bonds.

Winner of Best Interpretation of the Theme (Cultivating Connections) was Harmony Garden, a Beautiful Border designed and created by supported Individuals attending Minstead Trust Day Opportunities and Furzey Gardens near Lyndhurst. Minstead Trust supported people with learning disabilities and autism to achieve greater independence, learn new skills, and move towards employment. The accessible Harmony Garden featured wildlife-friendly, sustainable highlights like bug hotels, a hedgehog house, and bird-friendly planting.

Chair of assessors, Ian Hodgson said: "The Minstead Trust garden was packed full of innovative ideas and creativity. It really made us smile."

Winner of Best Floral Display was New Forest Hostas, with Jurassic Plants from Denbighshire second and Sussex-based W & S Lockyer third.

Meeting this year's Spring Fair winners and runners up on their gardens, BBC Gardeners' World presenter, Adam Frost, said: "I don't envy the assessment panel this year. It's a really tough job judging these gardens and there are some fantastic ones to see here at Beaulieu this year. As a garden designer myself, it's always great to see how the creative process works, from initial idea to putting the final touches to the garden on site. No matter whether you know everything or nothing about gardening, there is so much inspiration, enthusiasm, and expertise to be found here at the BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair. You're sure to go home excited to get out in your own garden and plant something new."

The BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair's headline sponsor, Hillier, created a large, serene, woodland-themed feature garden, designed with contrasting planting for both full sun and shadier conditions. There were advice pods and a large shop featuring three brand new plants, Philadelphus x 'Petite Perfume Pink', Geranium x Gold Nugget ™ (Hillger), and Rhapiolepsis indica 'White Cloud' - Limited Edition. Charles Carr, Hillier's Head of Wholesale Nurseries, shared expert plant advice at the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Stage and Subscriber Club Lounge.

Lord Montagu of Beaulieu said: "I am delighted to see BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair return to Beaulieu in 2025. The wide range of stands, engaging talks by the presenters, and the great variety of food outlets make this one of my favourite events at Beaulieu."

The BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair took place at Beaulieu in the New Forest from 2-4 May. Visitors were encouraged to join this year's BBC Gardeners' World 'Make a Metre Matter' campaign to transform a metre of garden for the good of the planet. Multi award-winning garden designer, Pip Probert, from BBC 2 Your Garden Made Perfect, designed an inspiring collection of Spring Fair metres that included veg plots, a pond, and pollinator patch.

There were spectacular Showcase Gardens, Beautiful Borders, College Gardens, and floral displays, of course, plus the new Spring Table featuring seasonal food, drink, and tablescaping inspiration, hosted by BBC food broadcaster, Chris Bavin. BBC Gardeners' World presenters Adam Frost, Carol Klein, and Arit Anderson shared seasonal gardening tips with the Magazine's editors at the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Stage (sponsored by Regent Seven Seas Cruises). Adam Kirtland hosted relaxed garden chat with gardening personalities at the new 'In Conversation With' Stage (sponsored by egg, Cracking Energy) and there were guided garden tours by the Spring Fair's Plant Experts.

Plant lovers could shop from more than 30 specialist plant nurseries and growers and there were 100+ retailers selling high-quality garden goods, from outdoor furniture and décor to tools and equipment. Volunteers from Maggie's Cancer Care hosted a Plant Crèche and Wheelbarrow Porter Service.

Attendees got hands-on with spring floristry, mushroom growing, willow weaving, and coppicing workshops, or watched forging and tablescaping demonstrations. In the Arena, the New Forest Tractor and Engine Club displayed its collection of vintage Land Rovers, tractors, and mini steam engines. For younger visitors, there were daily falconry displays on the Palace House lawn, the Countryside Education Trust's sheep to meet, and the Little Beaulieu adventure playground, Monorail Skytrain, and woodland walks to enjoy.

At the Good Food Market, there was a wide range of artisan produce to taste and take home, street food, and live music. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine subscribers and Hillier Gardening Club members enjoyed the exclusive Club Lounge, featuring daily talks by the Magazine's editors and special guests, a Hillier plant advice pod, refreshments, and additional seating. Access was subject to capacity, with seating available on a first come, first served basis. There was an additional VIP Lounge for VIP Extra ticket holders.