RHS 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 substantial grant, along with support and advice for 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

Sophie Leo awarded RHS Young Designer of the Year 2026 by Clare Matterson, Director General and Adam Frost
Sophie Leo awarded Young Designer 2026 by Clare Matterson, Director General and Adam Frost

RHS 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

Blue Diamond Garden Centres: Where Grief Grows QuietIn a world that often moves too quickly for grief, this garden offers stillness. It’s a reminder that healing is not always about moving on, but sometimes about finding somewhere safe to stop for a while. It reimagines the sheepfold as a sanctuary for emotional rest along the journey of grief. 

2026 – Sophie Leo

Blue Diamond Garden Centres: Where Grief Grows Quiet

In a world that often moves too quickly for grief, this garden offers stillness. It’s a reminder that healing is not always about moving on, but sometimes about finding somewhere safe to stop for a while. It reimagines the sheepfold as a sanctuary for emotional rest along the journey of grief. 

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

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

Blue Diamond Garden Centres: Where Grief Grows QuietIn a world that often moves too quickly for grief, this garden offers stillness. It’s a reminder that healing is not always about moving on, but sometimes about finding somewhere safe to stop for a while. It reimagines the sheepfold as a sanctuary for emotional rest along the journey of grief. 

2026 – Sophie Leo

Blue Diamond Garden Centres: Where Grief Grows Quiet

In a world that often moves too quickly for grief, this garden offers stillness. It’s a reminder that healing is not always about moving on, but sometimes about finding somewhere safe to stop for a while. It reimagines the sheepfold as a sanctuary for emotional rest along the journey of grief. 

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

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Finalists

Caledonian Coastal Garden

2019 – Aidan Cifelli

Silo: All that comes in remains

2026 – Abigail Stoyle

A Space For Her

2026 – Sophie Sturgeon

Caledonian Coastal Garden

2019 – Aidan Cifelli

Silo: All that comes in remains

2026 – Abigail Stoyle

A Space For Her

2026 – Sophie Sturgeon

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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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“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.”

Lex Falleyn, RHS Shows Team

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

Watch next

Mentoring future designers

Will Williams

Kate Savill

Mentoring future designers

Will Williams

Kate Savill

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