91µ¼º½

Young Designer of the Year competition

The RHS Young Designer of the Year competition provides a springboard for the careers of fledgling garden designers

Since 2009 the competition has been offering a remarkable platform for aspiring designers. By working with contractors, specialists, nurseries and other suppliers, young designers learn how to pull all of their skills together to create a successful RHS Show Garden.

What’s involved?

  • Mentorship from a professional garden designer, contractors and plantspeople.
  • A grant of £12,000, along with support and advice with securing further sponsorship and funding.
  • The opportunity to receive a coveted RHS medal.
  • The competition is open to designers who will be 30 or younger in the year of the Show.

Ashleigh Aylett awarded Young Designer 2024 by Helena Pettit, RHS Director of Shows
Ashleigh Aylett awarded Young Designer 2024 by RHS Director of Shows Helena Pettit

“The RHS Young Designer of the Year competition is a unique opportunity for designers starting out on their career to get valuable experience and make a mark on the industry. Former finalists have gone on to collect awards at many other RHS Shows.â€

Lex Falleyn, RHS Show Manager

Hear from the Young Designers

Young Designers talk about their experiences of being part of the competition and how it has helped their careers

04:58

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How the RHS Young Designer competition helped my career

A milestone in Will’s career

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Past Young Designers

Winners

Red RhythmA contemporary garden for a young professional couple, ‘Red Rhythm’ was designed for relaxation and entertaining during the summer months.

2009 – Lee Belgrau

Red Rhythm

A contemporary garden for a young professional couple, ‘Red Rhythm’ was designed for relaxation and entertaining during the summer months.

Read more about the garden

Drakkars Drift​The garden draws inspiration from the striking basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa – an interest sparked by a 2023 trip that led to deeper research into the island’s history. It celebrates Scotland’s historic ties with Scandinavia by blending Nordic wellness traditions and Highland elements: a floating wooden boardwalk leads to a bespoke Heartwood Sauna and plunge pool, while a rocky cascade, stream and scattered boulders evoke dramatic Scottish landscapes. 

2025 - Luke Coleman

Drakkars Drift​

The garden draws inspiration from the striking basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa – an interest sparked by a 2023 trip that led to deeper research into the island’s history. It celebrates Scotland’s historic ties with Scandinavia by blending Nordic wellness traditions and Highland elements: a floating wooden boardwalk leads to a bespoke Heartwood Sauna and plunge pool, while a rocky cascade, stream and scattered boulders evoke dramatic Scottish landscapes. 

Read more about the garden

The Woodland Trust: 49% GardenDrawing on ideas from the picturesque movement, the garden seeks to capture the romantic essence of the English countryside. By evoking the nostalgia of a perfect day outdoors, it aims to open the public’s eyes to the importance of preserving Trees Ooutside Woodland trees.

2024 – Ashleigh Aylett

The Woodland Trust: 49% Garden

Drawing on ideas from the picturesque movement, the garden seeks to capture the romantic essence of the English countryside. By evoking the nostalgia of a perfect day outdoors, it aims to open the public’s eyes to the importance of preserving Trees Ooutside Woodland trees.

Read more about the garden

Red RhythmA contemporary garden for a young professional couple, ‘Red Rhythm’ was designed for relaxation and entertaining during the summer months.

2009 – Lee Belgrau

Red Rhythm

A contemporary garden for a young professional couple, ‘Red Rhythm’ was designed for relaxation and entertaining during the summer months.

Read more about the garden

Drakkars Drift​The garden draws inspiration from the striking basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa – an interest sparked by a 2023 trip that led to deeper research into the island’s history. It celebrates Scotland’s historic ties with Scandinavia by blending Nordic wellness traditions and Highland elements: a floating wooden boardwalk leads to a bespoke Heartwood Sauna and plunge pool, while a rocky cascade, stream and scattered boulders evoke dramatic Scottish landscapes. 

2025 - Luke Coleman

Drakkars Drift​

The garden draws inspiration from the striking basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa – an interest sparked by a 2023 trip that led to deeper research into the island’s history. It celebrates Scotland’s historic ties with Scandinavia by blending Nordic wellness traditions and Highland elements: a floating wooden boardwalk leads to a bespoke Heartwood Sauna and plunge pool, while a rocky cascade, stream and scattered boulders evoke dramatic Scottish landscapes. 

Read more about the garden

The Woodland Trust: 49% GardenDrawing on ideas from the picturesque movement, the garden seeks to capture the romantic essence of the English countryside. By evoking the nostalgia of a perfect day outdoors, it aims to open the public’s eyes to the importance of preserving Trees Ooutside Woodland trees.

2024 – Ashleigh Aylett

The Woodland Trust: 49% Garden

Drawing on ideas from the picturesque movement, the garden seeks to capture the romantic essence of the English countryside. By evoking the nostalgia of a perfect day outdoors, it aims to open the public’s eyes to the importance of preserving Trees Ooutside Woodland trees.

Read more about the garden

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Finalists

Caledonian Coastal Garden

2019 – Aidan Cifelli

The Dune Garden

2025 - Jacopo Ducato Ruggeri

A Potted History: Echoes of Rockingham

2025 - Sam Dryell

Caledonian Coastal Garden

2019 – Aidan Cifelli

The Dune Garden

2025 - Jacopo Ducato Ruggeri

A Potted History: Echoes of Rockingham

2025 - Sam Dryell

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The Bees Garden

2013 – Florian Degroise

Finding [urban] Nature

2018 – Ed Higgins

Raised by Rivers

2018 – Nicola Oakey

The Bees Garden

2013 – Florian Degroise

Finding [urban] Nature

2018 – Ed Higgins

Raised by Rivers

2018 – Nicola Oakey

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Moor Work

2010 – William Quarmby

Subversive pigments

2012 – Andrew Percival

Prison Garden for Rehabilitation

2012 – Katherine Wills

Moor Work

2010 – William Quarmby

Subversive pigments

2012 – Andrew Percival

Prison Garden for Rehabilitation

2012 – Katherine Wills

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RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse 2025

Celebrate the summer with a great day out for the whole family

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