Inspired by the exotic garden at Great Dixter. This show border designed for the Belvoir Flower and Garden Show, represents part of a larger south facing border in an urban garden. The diverse range of plants show how an exotic style of planting can be achieved with hardly plants. The aim was to incorporate a few tender plants into the scheme but to mask the structure hardy minimising the borders maintenance. Visitors to the show reacted well to the scheme and were astonished that you can grow exotic plants in the UK and not have to protect them in the winter. Due to global warming it is likely that more types of exotic parts will be able to be grown and left outdoors all winter in the UK giving new opportunities to design with them in a low maintenance way.

Award: People’s Choice

Photography: Claire Day