2017 marks a special year for Gardeners’ World, 50 years of the much-loved TV programme. In honour of this celebratory milestone, BBC Gardeners’ World Live (15-18 June, NEC) will be hosting a variety of extra special features in the anniversary year including the topically themed Beautiful Borders – and this is the perfect place for fresh garden design talent to get involved.
At just a few square meters, the Beautiful Borders are the ideal showcase for budding garden designers, horticultural students and gardening clubs show off their gardening skills, inspiration and creativity. With 90,000 visitors expected over four days in June, it’s the ideal position for anyone looking for a platform to promote their design business.
This year’s theme for the Beautiful Borders is ’50 Years of Gardeners’ World’. Designs could pay homage to a favourite presenter, such as Percy Thrower or Geoff Hamilton, Alan Titchmarsh or Monty Don; recreate elements of gardens in the programme, including The Magnolias, Clack’s Farm, Barnsdale, Barleywood or Greenacre; or be inspired by a favourite episode, garden visited or plant featured, such as roses or herbs - the possibilities are endless!
Beautiful Borders are an annual visitor favourite, as they display a variety of excellent designs, space savvy ideas, planting combinations and creative features that can be packed into a small garden.
In 2016 Carol Klein was taken on a tour of all of the Beautiful Borders, with official photos taken alongside all the designers with their Awards.
Carol says, of the Beautiful Borders: “I simply love to see the creativity bursting out of each Beautiful Borders at BBC Gardeners’ World Live - it’s what flower shows are all about – encouraging up and coming garden designers and giving them the chance to present their ideas and originality to a hordes of people! For the designers it’s a brilliant way to get themselves noticed and network with potential new clients, and for the visitors they’re packed with ideas for smaller gardens.”
Martin Lines, designer of Fire & Ice, the ‘Best Beautiful Border’ in 2016 said: “This is a major development in my design career and I would like to thank River Street Events, the APL, and BBC Gardeners’ World Live for giving me this wonderful opportunity to show case myself as a professional and unique designer in my own right and to represent Lanwarne Landscapes in such an exciting way."
