A former police officer who harnessed the power of horticulture to help support victims of crime has been named the first RHS Career Changer of the Year at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2024.

Chris Reynolds’ The Safe Space Garden was also awarded a gold medal in the category of Career Changers at the show. The category made its debut this year.

Ashleigh Aylett, who designed The Woodland Trust: 49% Garden highlighting the efforts made by the charity to address the loss of nearly half of Britain’s trees outside of woods, was named RHS Young Designer of the Year 2024. Her garden was also awarded Best Construction within the Young Designer category.

Of the Show Gardens, Ollie Pike picked up Best in Show and a gold medal for This Garden Isn’t Finished Without You, a celebration of the inclusivity of the garden’s sponsor, The Methodist Church.

Christine Leung’s Glean, a relaxing kitchen garden with sustainable food growing at its core, was awarded the Best Terrace Garden prize.  

My Name’5 Doddie, by Pip Probert, which raises awareness of Motor Neurone Disease in memory of the late rugby player, was awarded the Best Construction of a Show Garden Award.

This year, the popular show celebrated its 25th anniversary as it prepares to next return to the site in 2027.

Sarah Poll, RHS Head of Shows Development, said: “Yet again, RHS Tatton Park has excited, provoked and inspired with some of the most innovative designs of the current generation of garden designers. We’ve got show veterans celebrated alongside career changers making their debut at an RHS show, and all of them have produced some absolutely show-stopping designs.

“RHS Tatton Park is fun, thoughtful and beautiful, and we would like to thank and congratulate everybody who has taken part. We hope they have enjoyed it as much as we have.”

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park takes place from 17-21 July. Tickets can be bought here: www.rhs.org.uk/tatton