Award: Silver Gilt Medal

About the garden

The Sleep in Beauty Garden celebrated the simple joy of sleeping outdoors, surrounded by nature, fresh air, and the calming presence of plants. Set in the East Midlands, this romantic and restful garden invited visitors to reimagine their gardens not just as daytime retreats, but as overnight sanctuaries.

At the heart of the garden was a comfortable king-sized bed, nestled beneath a striking overhead structure featuring a living roof and a star-gazing panel. Multiple trees created a canopy of dappled shade, while the planting scheme focused on shade-tolerant species—the often unsung heroes of garden design.

Design Inspiration & Purpose

Inspired by the idea that gardens are often overlooked at night, the garden encouraged couples to embrace the evening and overnight potential of their outdoor spaces. It highlighted the mental and physical benefits of sleeping in nature, offering a tranquil escape from indoor routines.

Sustainability at the Core

Sustainability was central to the garden’s ethos:

• Reclaimed and repurposed materials were used throughout, including scaffolding boards and industrial stillages.
• The garden was cement-free, with ground screws replacing traditional concrete footings.
• Natural stone paving was crafted from offcuts of the paving industry.

The garden also promoted sustainable water management through:

• Environmentally sensitive hard landscaping
• Drought-tolerant planting with soil amendments like gravel and mulch
• Encouragement of rainwater collection and reuse

Post-Show Life

Every element of The Sleep in Beauty Garden was repurposed across multiple private gardens, ensuring the design lives on and continues to inspire sustainable outdoor living.

Planting & Unsung Heroes

The planting focused on shade-tolerant species, chosen for their resilience and ability to thrive in dappled light. These plants added softness and serenity to the space, while multiple trees enhanced the romantic atmosphere.

While specific plant lists were subject to seasonal availability, the designer emphasised the importance of ferns, mosses, and other low-light champions—plants often overlooked but essential for creating layered, textured gardens.

About the designer

An experienced garden designer based in the East Midlands of England, Ian has been creating beautiful and practical gardens since 2004. A fully registered member of the Society of Garden Designers, this is his second RHS show garden, following his debut at RHS Spring Malvern Festival 2024 with Concrete 2.0.

Ian was inspired to get into the horticultural industry by the joy of helping people enjoy their gardens more.

What are the advantages of designing a garden at the show?

Ian says, “Show gardens provide a wonderful opportunity to explore ideas and concepts. Having had such a joyful experience at RHS Malvern Spring Festival last year, I really wanted to come back and create another really exciting show garden.”