Lisa Joseph from Worthing has won the RHS and BBC The One Show Pocket Garden Makeover Prize.
Lisa, a painter and decorator who lives with her 14-year-old son, George, wanted to transform her first-floor flat’s pocket-sized outdoor space into an area where her son could socialise, benefit from fresh air and get his hands in the soil.
As well as entering herself for the prize, Lisa was also nominated by her close friend Andrea. Lisa dreamt of creating a calming, sensory space that would support both her and her son’s wellbeing.
Lisa received a coastal themed garden makeover by expert designer and BBC One Garden Rescue presenter, Chris Hull, as revealed on the BBC’s The One Show.
The newly transformed garden features an olive tree, raised bed, a babbling boulder water feature and coastal themed reclaimed items, giving a nod to Worthing’s seaside setting. To maximise the use of the miniature space, many of the elements serve dual purposes, including the raised bed that doubles as seating and the thick ropes which support climbing plants while offering privacy from the road. The cool-toned planting scheme includes fragrant star jasmine, creeping rosemary and catmint, helping to inspire a sense of calm along with the atmospheric water feature.
Chris Hull, garden designer and presenter, says:
“It’s been a privilege to transform Lisa’s patio into a peaceful sanctuary. Her dedication to creating something special for her son, even in a small space, was incredibly inspiring. We’ve designed a garden that feels calming, uplifting and full of texture, and I hope it brings joy to Lisa and George for many years to come.”
Time spent in outdoor green spaces - no matter how small - can help to reduce stress, boost health and wellbeing and foster a connection with nature. The RHS and BBC The One Show want to highlight the many benefits of gardening and to inspire people to see the potential in their ‘pocket-sized’ outdoor spaces, demonstrating that with just a few small changes a soothing sanctuary can be created for people, plants and wildlife.
Visit the competition web page for more information, and for inspiration on designing a small garden.
