New talent at Tatton
Known for nurturing new talent, the show offers opportunities to people entering and establishing their careers within the horticultural industry to showcase their talents
As well as the established RHS Young Designer of the Year competition, the RHS Young Landscape Contractor & Young Planting Designer competitions challenge young landscapers and young planting designers to work together to build and deliver a garden. It’s an opportunity to showcase their skills and talent in their respective areas of horticulture and landscaping for visitors to RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, creating a hub of young talent at the show.
Young landscapers and planting designers who made it through to the final at the show paired up randomly and were given their design by last year’s RHS Young Designer of the Year, Caitlin McLaughlin. The young landscaper was responsible for planning and building the garden to a high standard, showcasing their skills and ensuring the planting areas were suitable and ready for planting on time.
Each completed garden was judged for RHS Medals and each finalist was separately assessed to crown one Best Young Landscape Contractor and one Best Young Planting Designer.
See this year's winners
Where next?
Past finalists have gone on to great things. Hugo Bugg won the Young Designer award in 2010, at the same time beating established garden designers to win the coveted Best in Show award. In 2014 Sam Ovens won - both designers created award-winning Show Gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2016 - see Hugo's design and Sam's design.
The 2015 winner Tamara Bridge joined forces with another finalist from the same year – Kate Savill – to create the Jo Whiley Scent Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017. Last year’s winner Caitlin McLaughlin has created the design for the Young Planting Designer and Young Landscape Contractor competitions this year. In 2016, Lilly Gomm won Silver-gilt and People's Choice with her garden A Space to Ruminate. This year she returned to the show with the Gabriel Ash Greenhouse Garden:
'Being in the RHS Young Designer competition was fantastic - it gave me incredible exposure, a kind of instant portfolio. I never imagined to be back at the show so soon'
(Silver medal winner Lilly Gomm, back at Tatton with a show garden after her successful 2016 Young Designer debut)
Get involved
We are seeking 2018 entrants for RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in the following categories:
The competitions are open to those 28 years old or younger and benefits include the support of an RHS mentor and industry expert. All finalists attract significant media exposure and have the chance to win the coveted title in their respective competition.
The deadline for applications for 2018 will be in autumn 2017, so to find out more and register your interest please email [email protected]
