School Gardens

What is the aim of the School Garden Challenge?

RHS Malvern Spring Festival School Garden Challenge is an opportunity to bring together different aspects of the school curriculum into a single project, culminating in the creation of a school garden at this prestigious show.

Ideal for a single class, afterschool club or the whole school; primary, middle or secondary school-aged pupils, the School Garden Challenge is the highlight of the year for many of the entrants. The Challenge is open to schools or home educator groups, from any of the three counties or further afield, provided that the participating children are still of compulsory school age.

The Challenge is a wonderful activity for children and young people to work together to design, deliver and show a garden at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival. An opportunity to bring together different aspects of the school curriculum, whilst also supporting student wellbeing.

The primary aims & objectives of the challenge are to:

• Promote gardening and horticulture to children and young people
• Support the curriculum through a single project, including literacy and numeracy.
• Promote an understanding of the environment and sustainability amongst children and young people
• Support the physical & mental wellbeing of children and young people
• Develop confidence, self-esteem, teamwork and communication skills
• Encourage creativity & story-telling through garden design

The School Garden Challenge also represents an excellent opportunity for you to promote your school and to engage with your local community.

To help support you on the School Garden Challenge journey, grants of £300 are provided to help with the expenses associated with participation, as well as support throughout from horticulture specialists, sponsors and Three Counties’ Education Team.

Results

Click here for all 2026 Results

What is the theme for 2026?

The theme for the 2026 challenge is Myths & Legends. 

We invite young people to explore magical stories, cultural heritage and powerful symbolism through the design and creation of their garden space. Whether drawing on ancient folklore, mythology, heroic tales, or mythical creatures, the garden should tell a story and ignite the imagination of visitors.

You can be as creative as you like when designing your garden. You may decide to incorporate a tree, plant a living hedge, build a bug hotel…the possibilities are endless! Find details of this year’s school gardens below

The Garden of Arthur – The River School

This garden is split into twelve segments – one for each Knight of the Round Table. It will feature parts of the legendary stories, with Merlin’s herbs and a Sword in the Stone sculpture. A path runs through the space made of log slices.

The Wyvern – Bridge School Malvern

This garden will have a willow woven Wyvern (a mythical two legged, dragon-like creature) in the centre and will incorporate fiery planting to represent its living lair. It is said there is a Wyvern in the local River Wye and other local references will include Wyvern tiles excavated at the Commandery and Wyvern images in Malvern Priory. The Maudiford dragon and Wyvern tale will add to the narrative.

The Ladybird’s Path – Grace Kelly Childhood Trust

The Ladybird’s Path is an enchanted, woodland-inspired garden created to celebrate ten years of the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust and the lasting difference it has made to local children and families affected by childhood cancer. 

At the heart of the design is a raised, winding stepping-stone path symbolising a journey taken step by step. Ten stepping stones represent each year of the charity’s impact, gently guiding the eye through a fairy-inhabited woodland floor. Each stone is engraved with a single word reflecting the values that have shaped the Trust’s work over the past decade. Fairy houses are dotted throughout the space, and at the centre of the garden a wildlife pond brings movement and life, enhancing the sense that the garden is truly alive and enchanted. 

Throughout the garden, ladybirds appear, woven into the landscape as painted pebbles along the path and mounted on stakes to add height and dimension. In folklore, ladybirds are seen as protectors and messengers of hope. Small creatures that are believed to bring guidance and reassurance to those on a journey, making them a fitting symbol for both this year’s theme and highlighting the charities logo. 

The woodland will feature ferns, grasses and a strong focus on sensory planting, particularly around the perimeter of the garden. The planting palette will be purples and oranges, colours that reflect the charity branding. Wind chimes are also included, adding gentle sound and further enhancing the sensory and magical atmosphere. 

The sensory elements of the garden are especially important as some of the children supported by the Trust are visually impaired following treatment.  

Along one side of the garden, a painted enchanted woodland backdrop will support the narrative of the space. Attached to a frame on the left-hand side of the backdrop is a natural branch displaying Leaves of Kindness. These leaves are written by the children involved over the coming months, encouraging them to reflect on kindness and to carry it with them in their everyday lives. 

Mythical Plants and Where to Find Them – Pershore College

The garden will be composed of six themed plots, each inspired by a different mythical story. One will celebrate Irish leprechauns, another the Welsh dragon, and a third the Scottish Loch Ness Monster. From England, one plot will depict Excalibur (the Sword in the Stone), another will portray the Bogeyman, and the final plot will represent the Green Man. Each area will also feature the national flowers associated with its region.

This garden represents the myths and legends of Scotland as portrayed by spots of tartan placed throughout, a Scottish Celtic knot bench, the famous Scottish poem, ‘The Fairies’ by William Allingham burned into wood, a unicorn and mythical Selkies in a fairy pool.

Whispers of the Wye – Wye Forest Federation: Redbrook C of E Primary School and St Briavels C of E Primary School

This garden portrays myths and legends from the area surrounding both our schools and the river Wye. Take a journey with the designers and the Goddess Gwy through the peaceful river valley. Look out for devils and fairies then climb with us past the ghostly pond up to the haunted castle.