Garden Design students selected to exhibit at Belvoir Castle Flower and Garden Show 2023 competition

The competition celebrates planting design and supports new garden designers and horticulturists in their careers which takes place on the 15th and 16th July.

The students submitted briefs with ideas ranging from wildlife, pollinator-friendly, plant dye garden, forgeable elements, quintessentially British, evoking community, and edible plants to answer to the theme of Countryside Borders. Plants for the gardens will be sourced through foraging, cuttings, growing and through trade.

Two of the students received a £200 grant from the panel of judges to help cover the materials costs, and Plumpton College topped that with another £250 for each student showcasing their garden.

The background of the Garden Design students is quite varied, from fashion design, marketing, upholstery and fine art - proving it's a creative industry to be in with an element of understanding the science to create beautiful gardens. Ensuring plants are placed well according to sunlight, soil, nature etc. Horticulture links the UK's climate to art, craft, nature and science.

Erin, Echo, Penny, Joanne and Karen are studying Garden Design at Plumpton College, over at the Stanmer Campus, One Garden Brighton.

If you're interested in upskilling or changing your career, learn more about Level 1, 3 or 3 part-time Garden Design courses here.