RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026
'Tales from the Riverbank'
Gold Medal
Photography by Poshyarns Photography And Film
A Small Balcony Garden with
Big Ideas
10 square metres with space for trees, a comfortable bench, a dipping tank and an outdoor kitchen
'Tales from the Riverbank' was an idea conceived in 2025 over a cup of coffee with a fellow designer and friend Susie Kennedy. We decided to join forces and design an entry for the Balcony & Container Gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026.
It was modelled on a houseboat balcony and was our first ever entry for any judged garden in any of the RHS shows. We were awarded a Gold Medal.
Described by garden designer and journalist Bunny Guinness in her article for The Telegraph as one of "The seven must-see gardens" at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026.
The full article is available to read using the link below.
My Planting Design Principles
My core principles are simple: 'Right plant, right place', a concept popularized by Beth Chatto, the great garden designer and author, in the 1960s. For plants to truly thrive they have to be happy, and that means putting them in the right soil, in the right location at the right time. Happy plants make the most beautiful gardens and that is what I strive for.
On occasions where I am supplying plants and trees for one of my designs I will always try to source them from the best suppliers and growers. Most are local but I will occasionally look further afield if I want something more exotic. All my suppliers will have issued the plants with UK Plant Passports which means that they meet UK Plant Health Standards and are free from quarantine pests and diseases. This maintains biosecurity and prevents spreading plant health issues.
I am an advocate of organic gardening. For me that means using natural methods to control pests and diseases rather than synthetic chemicals. I believe that a holistic approach can create a sustainable ecosystem, which in the long run is not only better for the garden but is also better for the wider environment.
My projects range from complete re-designs to freshening up a border. From planting an orchard of trees to setting up raised beds for 'grow your own' fruit and vegetables. From a naturalistic cottage garden to something more formal. Whether simple or complicated, no two designs will ever be exactly the same and the personality of each individual plant is encouraged to develop and make its contribution.
New planting can create a home for a diversity of wildlife, it can transform views and provide new smells. Working with and being surrounded by plants is joyful. I regard them all as children that I am nurturing and encouraging to grow, so that they can survive on their own and develop into beautiful and useful contributors to a world that isn't always kind or sympathetic to their needs.
I'm passionate about educating and encouraging people and especially young children to experience the wonder and joy of gardening, especially now that so many hobbies and interests are done remotely via a screen. In my experience children love the reality and the magic of gardening. They learn without realizing it and they become so involved with the garden itself that they become part of it. When a child first grows something that they can smell or eat, they will remember that moment for the rest of their life.That's how it started for me. Growing radishes in an old stone kitchen sink aged 4 or 5 is my first memory of gardening and decades later I am still doing it.
My Planting Design Process
All my designs start with an informal chat so don't hesitate to get in touch via email, drop me a message or give me a call. Following that, the design process is divided into stages:
Detailed Consultation
This is so that I can get to know your garden, your tastes and your inspiration. We will also talk about your budget for the project. I will write a client brief which will enable me to prepare and present my proposal, which will include mood boards and some sketches. You will be sent a detailed Estimate for the work including design fees. If you decide to proceed a deposit will be required and if you don't proceed then you will be invoiced for the design fees only.
Contract Documents and Drawings
Once a design and contract have been agreed, I will draw up a master plan, detailed planting plan(s) and a plant schedule. All contract drawings are to scale and are nearly always drawn by hand. This allows me to feel the design as it develops. You will be sent a Quotation for your chosen contract and we will discuss timescales. The Quotation will include details of Stage Payments so that you can budget accordingly.
Planting & Completion
Completion packages vary. I can leave you with the documents (if you are, or have access to a proficient and confident Gardener) or I can order, deliver, position and even plant up your new design for you, either personally or with the help of a contractor. This ensures that the planting takes place at the optimum time giving your new garden the best possible start.
Maintenance Plan
I will always leave you with a maintenance plan for at least the first 12 months after planting. It is an important part of the process because the quality of the maintenance will directly affect the longevity of your plants and the design. I can arrange follow up visits if required.
Sustainable Practices
My designs work with Nature to create a bio-diverse environment where insects and wildlife can thrive. Our future depends on protecting our pollinating insects and natural predators so that garden pests are kept in check naturally and not by using pesticides. Clever planting can help with this.
Something as simple as creating a "dead hedge" rather than throwing away woody garden waste can transform the biodiversity in a garden.
Another consideration which is becoming increasingly important is planting for a changing climate. Drought and flood tolerance within a garden can be achieved with the right design and plant knowledge.
Bespoke Drawings
There is nothing 'off the shelf' about my drawings. No cutting and pasting from design publications. All my drawings are bespoke and nearly always drawn by hand to produce technically correct scale drawings which are also informative and easy to understand.
Drawings are an essential element of the design process. Not only to convey ideas from the designer to the client but also to provide essential information. This planting plan is an example.
Inspiration to Reality
Inspiration can come from many directions. The most important consideration is to understand your garden and what will thrive and what will just survive. There are plants for every type of soil and every type of location. The secret to a good garden design is to bring everything together and create a garden that you will always find interesting and always be excited to spend time in.
Below: This beautiful show garden at RHS Hampton Court 2025 illustrates the impact that plants can make in a matter of days. Almost anything is possible.
Contact
Telephone: +44 7738 765716
E-mail: hello@katehenningplantingdesign.co.uk