Proud to be Partnering with Rutland Garden Design at This Year’s Rutland Flower Show

We are thrilled to share this August, we’re teaming up with the incredibly talented Nicola Vance at Rutland Garden Design to bring a full-scale show garden to life at the Rutland Flower Show (14th–16th August at the Oakham Showground).

Nicola has designed a fantastic 8m x 8m space, and we’re delighted to be partnering with her once again to take care of the entire build.

Building a garden takes time, precision, and a bit of patience. But for the show, the pressure is on: our team has just 2.5 days to get the entire structural layout built from scratch before Nicola moves in with the planting and finishing touches ahead of the Thursday judging. It’s going to be a busy few days, but we love a challenge.

Designing (and Building) for Real Life

What we love most about Nicola’s design is that it isn’t just for show—it’s built for the realities of modern living and our changing British summers.

From a construction and landscaping point of view, show grounds come with a few unique rules. For this build, we have a strict "no-dig" policy, meaning we can't excavate into the showground turf. Everything has to be built upward, completely stable, and perfectly level, while looking immaculate from a 360-degree viewing angle.

Beyond the show rules, the garden itself is packed with practical ideas for local homes. With rising Summer temperatures and increasingly busy lifestyles, many of us are searching for gardens that offer calm and enjoyment without becoming another source of work. This design directly reflects that shift, creating a welcoming space that invites you to pause, sit, and enjoy, rather than constantly maintain.

Get to know the garden:

Practical Spaces for Modern Living

While some people love pottering about in the garden, many simply want a beautiful, functional area that doesn't require endless attention. This build explores how combining thoughtful hard landscaping structures with smart planting can drastically reduce upkeep while still delivering incredible texture, colour, and interest all season long.

Living, evolving spaces will always need a small element of care, but by focusing on resilient materials and durable planting, we can easily cut down the need for frequent watering, feeding, and heavy garden chores.

Smart Zoning, Flow, and Layouts

The project also demonstrates how to maximise a smaller footprint by creating distinct functional zones. Rather than sticking to the traditional setup of a central grass lawn bordered by standard edges, this design proves that a lawn isn't essential for a stunning garden.

Instead, the layout explores:

• Dedicated zones tailored perfectly for relaxation and gathering.

• Natural movement and clever "journeys" through the outdoor space.

• A practical layout optimized for both visual impact and daily usability.

• A completely lawn-free environment driven by strong structure and textured planting.

The ultimate goal is to showcase how even a compact garden can feel layered, dynamic, and purposeful without relying on grass as the main feature.

Come and Say Hello!

Whether you’re looking for ideas for your own garden renovation, want to see how a "no-dig" structural build works, or just fancy a chat about a project you’ve been mulling over, we’d love for you to stop by.

Nicola will be on hand all weekend to talk through the design and planting (and word is she’ll be selling off the show plants at a discount at the end of the event!).

The Rutland Flower Show is always a brilliant local event. If you're attending, do come over to the plot, take a look at the finished details, and say hello to the team.

Planning a complete garden transformation or need a hand with professional groundworks around Rutland or Oakham? Get in touch with us for an informal chat about your ideas.