RHS Tatton Park 2021 Young Designer

Above: The RHS Young Designer was awarded to Freddie Strickland for their design inspired by the sub-tropical gardens of Cornwall

• Young Designer Gardens take inspiration from topical issues, such as climate change and mental health, for their garden designs
• In total, 26 gold medals have been awarded across the Show so far

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced Freddie Strickland as the 2021 Young Designer at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park this week, a coveted award for those looking to start their careers in garden design.

Freddie, 27 from Bristol, was inspired by Cornwall’s sub-tropical gardens for his design. Freddie’s garden, ‘On Tropic,’ takes an environmentally conscious approach, replacing traditional plants with a tropical palette that thrives in our warming climate and incorporating reclaimed materials into the design.

Head of RHS Judging, James Alexander Sinclair, said: “It’s always a privilege to judge the Young Designer Gardens. This year the quality was outstanding. Freddie Strickland’s garden was a breath of fresh air and showed an innovative use of planting, showing us what can be possible in a changing world.”

Other entrants in the Young Designer category received a Silver Gilt, two Silver, and a Bronze Medal between them, with many choosing to represent topical issues in their designs. 

Maximillian Parker-Smith (27, West Sussex) was awarded Silver Gilt for his garden design, ‘Earth Garden,’ which is deliberately minimal to allow for wildlife and the plants within it. James Smith’s garden (24, Northamptonshire), ‘It’s OK Not To Be Ok,’ uses innovative design to represent the barriers men face in coping with mental health issues, a design for which he received a Silver Medal.

Across the Show, 12 medals were awarded in the Gardens categories. Best Tatton Garden went to Robert Hardy and ‘The MacMillan Legacy Garden’, and Best Back to Back Garden to ‘United Utilities Garden of Resilience’ by Leon Davis. 

Stephen Crisp, moderator for the Back to Back and Show Garden Panel said: “The Back to Back Gardens this year used some really creative ideas and imaginative use of both plants and hardscaping. Real craftsmanship was demonstrated by many of the designers providing a slightly different flavour and angle of garden design with the quality of exhibits at Tatton Park getting higher and higher each year.”

In the Floral Marquee, Best Exhibit went to Holden Clough for their display of hardy plants. This year’s awards and accolades saw 22 Gold, 10 Silver-Gilts, 11 Silver, and 2 Bronze Medals presented to horticultural exhibits so far. 

The winners of the Best Community Border, Best Exhibit in the Plant Hub, and Best Plant Village Exhibit will be announced later today. Please visit our website for the latest awards lists: https://www.rhs.org.uk/press/shows

Tickets are available for RHS Tatton Park which runs until Sunday 25 July. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.rhs.org.uk/tatton