A Marlow gardener has been awarded the people’s choice by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Rachel Platt Garden Design was given the award at RHS Tatton Park for her first show garden titled ‘The Covid Recovery Garden’.
During the show, running in July, she also won best construction, a silver-gilt medal and was awarded runner-up young designer of the year.
RHS Tatton Park, based in the grounds near Knutsford, is one of the three largest horticultural shows in the UK.
The event is televised every year on Gardeners World, alongside RHS Chelsea flower show and RHS Hampton Court flower show.
Only 10 medals were awarded in the garden category this year, with Rachel’s garden being one of them.
Her specific category was entitled ‘Young designer gardens’, highlighting emerging talent and give aspiring designers the opportunity to launch their career and gain exposure.
Rachel’s garden focused on providing a restorative sanctuary at a hospital for those suffering from long-covid, the shape of which was inspired by Caduceus, the staff of Hermes, often used as a medical symbol.
Central to the design was a large transparent arbour, and a multi-stem tree with public messages of support and remembrance hanging from its branches.
It is currently being re-built at a community head injury service clinic which supports people with acquired head and brain injuries.
It will be open all year for patients and clients attending appointments at Brookside and by staff working at the centre for breaks and meetings.
Furthermore, the therapeutic team and work placement team will use the garden for therapy for clients who are no long inpatients but are being rehabilitated back into the community.
Rachel Platt said: “I would like to thank the NHS for allowing the show garden to be re-built on one of its premises.
“As a designer, it is an honour to have been able to produce a garden that will benefit and be seen by so many local people”.
Rachel Platt Garden Design is a professional garden design company, covering Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire.
They specialise in creating completely bespoke, luxury designs tailored to individual requirements, for residential gardens of all shapes and sizes.
To book a consultation with Rachel Platt, call 07990 781185.