A collaboration of professional landscapers and designers have scooped Best Showcase Garden and a Platinum award at the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair taking place at English Heritage’s Audley End House and Gardens, Saffron Walden this weekend (29-31 August). 

The Pursuit of Excellence Garden is a large-scale, wildlife-friendly Showcase Garden that marks the 30th anniversary of the Association of Professional Landscapers. Designed by Paul Newman from Designscape and Sarah Plested from Bramley Apple Garden Design, both based in Hertfordshire, the garden features layered planting for year-round interest as well as architectural and drought tolerant planting surrounding a seating area. The build team were from TKE Landscaping, Landscapes by Design, Holland Landscapes and Haldon Construction Ltd, all based in Essex, Daryl Gannon Landscapes from Kent and P.R. Kedge Landscapes from Buckinghamshire.

The garden won plentiful praise from the Autumn Fair’s illustrious panel of expert assessors which included gardening editor, horticulturalist and journalist, Ian Hodgson, and multi award-winning garden designers Cherry Carmen and Mike Baldwin. Mike is a veteran horticulture and landscaping lecturer from Derby College (retired) and has created more than 100 national show gardens and community project gardens.

Head assessor Ian Hodgson said: “This was a bravura design that celebrates the APL’s 30th anniversary, showcasing the skills and craftsmanship of professional landscapers.”

Phil Tremayne, General Manager of the Association of Professional Landscapers, said: “The Pursuit of Excellence Garden was conceived and created with a collaboration of top landscapers and designers. It celebrates the APL’s special year, demonstrates the value of great design and perfection in construction, and reminds the visiting public of the importance of engaging professionals.”BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair visitors will be voting for their own favourite gardens throughout the event. The People’s Choice awards for Best Showcase Garden and Best Beautiful Border will be announced on Sunday afternoon.

Downing College, Cambridge and Val Christman from Widford in Hertfordshire both won Gold awards for their Showcase Gardens. Although not assessed in the formal Showcase Gardens competition, there was praise for multi award-winning garden designer Pip Probert’s (BBC 2 Your Garden Made Perfect) headline feature garden. Pip’s Make a Metre Matter Garden was designed to inspire Autumn Fair visitors to get involved in this year’s BBC Gardeners’ World Make a Metre Matter campaign to transform one metre of outdoor space for the good of the planet. This collective action to support the environment has seen more than 13,500 metres pledged at gardenersworld.com, from veg beds and compost spaces to mini ponds and pollinator patches. Pip Probert’s Autumn Fair feature garden showed that even the smallest garden spaces can be colourful, productive for food growing and attractive to wildlife.

Lucy Tremlett, Event Director at Immediate Live, organisers of BBC Gardeners’ World events, said: “We never fail to be impressed by the design, planning, teamwork and creativity that go into creating a Showcase Garden. Congratulations to the APL team who pulled out all the stops to impress our tough assessors and to give Autumn Fair visitors some memorable ideas to try at home.”

The BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair offers garden inspiration, achievable ideas to take home, and plants for every type of garden. Whether you’re a gardening beginner, an expert grower, or just enjoy a day out in the great outdoors, there’s something for everyone. 

Highlights include stunning Showcase Gardens, Beautiful Borders and plant displays, stages featuring expert advice and talks, and BBC Gardeners' World presenters Adam Frost, Arit Anderson, Rachel de Thame and Frances Tophill. There are garden tours, gardening personalities in conversation, hands-on workshops, plant and garden shopping, and delicious food and drink. 

Tickets include access to all of Audley End House and Gardens’ attractions. Buy tickets at www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com.