BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair: Audley End trainees ready to plant seed of inspiration
Audley End’s horticulture trainees are working on a “Beautiful Border” to inspire visitors to BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair.
The exhibits are compact, miniature show gardens, packed with creative design ideas and planting inspiration for small or difficult garden spaces.
The theme for this year’s Beautiful Borders section at the three-day fair is “Share my space”, highlighting the power of gardening to create a sense of community.
Pete Buchanan and Libby Bettney are part of the English Heritage historic and botanic garden training programme.
Their Beautiful Border, “Shared Ecologies”, is designed to bring plant, animal and human communities together in a small, tended space and reflects the theme throughout.
The design duo said: “As we enter the world of professional horticulture, we have used our shared experience and training here at Audley End House and Gardens to create a shared ecologies border.
“Our aim was to provide a shared habitat for a diverse collection of species whilst using plants with a shared edible and ornamental purpose.
“We have encouraged community cohesion and wellbeing through sharing plants and materials with local groups whilst maintaining our sustainable working practices to promote a shared, liveable and biodiverse future.”
Lucy Tremlett, head of horticultural division at Immediate Live, organisers of the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, said: “Visitors always flock to the Beautiful Borders for new ideas to take home.
“The designers invest a lot of love, time and hard work in these tiny gardens and we can’t wait for visitors to see them in situ.”
The BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, in association with English Heritage, takes place at Audley End House and Gardens from Friday August 30 to Sunday September 1. To find out more and book tickets, see www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com.
