The four contestants taking part in the BBC Gardeners’ World Live Young Landscapers Award, and the Show Gardens that they’re to build, have been announced. The two pairs will each create an inspirational front garden designed by Professor David Stevens, at BBC Gardeners’ World Live where visitors can see the gardens from 13-16 June at The NEC Birmingham.
The contestants are the young landscapers who took top spots at the WorldSkills UK Finals. Matthew Wood was champion in landscaping with the Gold award and has since been crowned as The APL’s ‘Rising Star’ at their Awards in March 2019. Sam Gordon, from The Gardenmakers in Warwickshire, was awarded Silver. Reece McKay took Bronze and Brian Hughes achieved Highly Commended, both from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).
The teams have been presented with the Show Garden designs set to challenge their skills and ingenuity, both designed by the eminent, and internationally renowned, garden designer Professor David Stevens.
David Stevens, with a back catalogue of twenty-six Chelsea Flower Show medals and author of twenty-one books, explains:
“This year the competition highlights front gardens which are so often overlooked, after all first impressions count! The link between house and garden is vital and the two designs, one contemporary and the other more traditional, link strongly with the adjoining building.
“While planting naturally plays an important role so too do the hard landscape elements of paving, steps and boundaries. It’s fantastic to be working with Marshalls as sponsors of the competition, with their huge range of excellent materials that can be chosen to suit virtually any situation.”
The competition is as inspirational for the visitors as for those involved, as David explains,“While the gardens will be an exciting challenge for the young teams, they will also be an inspiration to the public who can take many of the ideas home to enhance that all important plot at the front of the house.”
The competition launched in 2018 with two Diarmuid Gavin Show Gardens with Bespoke Outdoor Spaces duo, Jacob Botting and Laurence Senior, taking home the winning trophy.
Phil Tremayne, General manager of The Association of Professional Landscapers (The APL), adds:
“Due to the skills shortage currently within landscaping, the APL are working hard to promote the industry and show what can be achieved. We are proud to organise the landscaping competition at WorldSkills UK, run our own apprenticeship scheme and now help coordinate the BBC Gardeners’ World Live Young Landscapers Award, to highlight the opportunities and importance of landscaping skills.”
Visit the two Show Gardens and discover which team has won the accolade of BBC Gardeners’ World Live Young Landscapers of the Year at the Show which takes place from 13-16 June 2019 at The NEC Birmingham.
For info and tickets visit bbcgardenersworldlive.com