Old Trafford-based Edward Doherty from J. Parker’s, the online garden and plant retailer, has won Best Beautiful Border and a Platinum award at the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair which returns to Audley End House and Gardens, Saffron Walden this weekend (11 - 13 September).

Always a favourite feature at BBC Gardeners’ World events, the Beautiful Borders are compact show gardens packed with ideas for smaller-scale garden spaces. There’s a new creative theme every year, and this year it’s ‘Once Upon a Time’, a perfect introduction to fascinating stories told through plants.

The winning Border is Reflection, a nostalgic journey through childhood memories of the Irish countryside. The garden features a winding path surrounded by cottage-style planting that incorporates favourite plant choices of three generations of family gardeners. Five wooden pillars symbolise the enduring bond between Edward and his siblings, rooted in shared early experiences, despite living in different parts of the world. Edward hopes the Border will inspire Autumn Fair visitors to reflect on how early experiences may have shaped their own gardening adventures. He also scooped Best Subscriber Border – an award for designers that subscribe to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine.

Receiving his Best Beautiful Border award, Edward said: “Plants and horticulture have played a huge role in my life, and I wanted to create a family garden that taps into my Irish heritage. This is the first show garden I’ve created for a big event and I’m delighted that my childhood memories resonated with the judges. All the Borders at the Autumn Fair tell people’s personal stories and it’s been lovely to be part of that.”

Facing the tough task of reviewing this year’s Beautiful Borders was a team of expert show garden assessors. Gardening editor, horticulturalist and journalist, Ian Hodgson, led the assessment panel, joined by multi award-winning garden designers Lucy Bravington and Mike Baldwin. Mike Baldwin is the recipient of a BBC Gardeners’ World Live Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional contribution to horticulture, following a 36-year career as a horticulture and landscaping lecturer at Derby College. He has created more than 100 show gardens and community projects.

Head assessor Ian Hodgson said: “Edward thoroughly deserved to win both prizes. His Reflection Border was an absolute triumph, full of colour and drama, capturing his childhood days in Donegal.”

Best Interpretation of the Theme and a Platinum award went to Saachi Parasrampuria, Marko Yau and James Miller from Amaranth Collaborative, a landscape and garden design practice in Worthing, Sussex, for their Childhood Discovered Border. This relaxed, wildlife-friendly space celebrates curiosity, creativity and a connection with nature. Its colourful planting and naturalistic areas encourage exploration, with wilder areas to attract wildlife and bees. All materials used in the Border are salvaged or recycled. After the Autumn Fair, the garden will be relocated to St. Elizabeth’s, a charity supporting children, young people and adults with complex needs in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire.

Head assessor Ian Hodgson said: “The planting in this garden is ethereal and beautiful, and shone in the sunlight. The attention to detail was meticulous and the children the garden has been created for are going to love it.”

Saachi Parasrampuria from Amaranth Collaborative said: “It’s been a really fun, enjoyable and creative process. We’re so delighted to have won this award and want to inspire people about what can be achieved on a budget in their own gardens.”

One garden that is sure to catch visitors’ attention this year is the BBC Gardeners’ World Make a Metre Matter Border. Co-created by Essex garden designer Lucy Chamberlainand BBC Newsround presenter and keen allotment grower, De-Graft Mensah, the Make a Metre Matter Border is a reminder that even the smallest garden spaces can help the health of the planet by supporting wildlife and biodiversity and reducing food miles. BBC Gardeners’ World Make a Metre Matter supports the UK’s 30by30 target to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. More than 16,720 campaign metres have been pledged to date.

Autumn Fair visitors are invited to vote for their own personal favourite Beautiful Borders throughout the event’s three days, culminating in the presentation of a People’s Choice award on Sunday afternoon.

Isobel Mills, Horticultural Events Manager at Immediate Live, organisers of the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, said: “From first-time designers and experienced garden teams to charities and local community organisations, the talented teams behind these Borders are sure to make a big impact at the Autumn Fair. This year’s ‘Once Upon a Time’ theme has really fired entrants’ imaginations and there are some wonderful stories told, from childhood memories and lived experiences to inspiring causes and seasonal reflections. Congratulations to Edward Doherty and J. Parker’s for their brilliant Best in Show Border and to everyone that entered. We can’t wait to see more of their work in years to come.”

The BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair runs from 11 – 13 September at English Heritage’s spectacular Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden. Bursting with inspiration and take-home ideas, highlights include Showcase Gardens, Beautiful Borders and floral displays. There’s expert advice from BBC Gardeners’ World TV presenters and Magazine editors, the Association of Professional Landscapers and specialist plant nurseries. There are entertaining conversations with gardening personalities, a wide range of quality plants and bulbs, and extensive garden and lifestyle shopping. At the Good Food Market, there’s delicious food and drink, street food, artisan producers and live music.

To make the very most from their day out, visitors can join a floral workshop, a tour of Audley End’s gardens hosted by the Fair’s Plant Experts, or a seat at the Autumn Table where food and drink writer and broadcaster Andy Clarke will be hosting a daily programme of exciting tasting sessions.

Tickets for the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair are available at www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com and include access to Audley End House, grounds and gardens. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the Fair’s outdoor spaces.

Applications for next year’s BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair Beautiful Borders competition open on 15 September 2026, closing 7 May 2027. The creative theme for 2027 is ‘BBC Gardeners’ World Inspired Me To’. The BBC Gardeners’ World events’ horticultural team supports entrants every step of the way, from application to build and final reveal. 15 bursaries of £300 are available to applicants for plants and props. Completed Borders are assessed on site by a team of professional show garden assessors, with awards and constructive feedback for every entrant.

Isobel Mills, Horticultural Events Manager for the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, said: “Whether you want to showcase your talent and creativity, tell a story that’s important to you, or raise awareness for a charity or cause, entering a Beautiful Border for a BBC Gardeners’ World event is a brilliant way to share your passion for plants with tens of thousands of garden enthusiasts.”

www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com