Since graduating in Garden Design at Hadlow College and Greenwich University last summer, Kenley resident Sid Stratton’s fledging career as a garden designer is blooming!

A finalist for the SGD 2014 Student Award, Sid attended a glittering awards dinner in South Kensington in January, and in February she found out that her collaborative design for a show garden had been selected by the Royal Horticultural Society for the BBC Gardener’s World Live Exhibition in Birmingham this June!

Sid’s design with fellow graduate Bridget Robinson from Folkestone, was described by the RHS judging panel as a ‘clean precision design and a beautifully prepared application’. 

Sid, who currently juggles two careers as a civil servant whilst setting up her garden design business, said:  “Creating an RHS show garden is the realisation of a life-long dream for us. We are looking to launch our careers and of course we hope that people will see our garden and consider using our design services in the future.  We are both evangelical about plants and gardens and hope to reach out and inspire show visitors to create their own gardens which, with good design and a very reasonable budget can look fabulous every day of the year.”

Sid and Bridget’s design had to confirm to strict guidelines laid down by the RHS Judging Panel.  The challenge was to create 6 x 6m garden, using a pre-selected set of easily available materials.The inspiration for the garden is the concept of metamorphosis. The ‘Slow Burn Garden’ is characterised by fiery and hot planting and innovative use of the materials including a traditional Japanese wood charring technique on the background fence which will create a dramatic backdrop for the hot colours. 

The show garden, which Sid and Bridget are busy preparing to build at the NEC Birmingham is described as ‘amodern, art inspired garden characterized by seasonal changes, determined by carefully considered planting. Emerging spring planting with bulbs, colours are sharp and fresh, summer rustier coloured planting froths over the structure with a dreamier atmosphere, autumn catches fire and reaches highest, in Winter the linear and cuboid structure dominates.’

Sid said “it’s really exciting, but also slightly daunting as this is the first time we have done something like this.  We are getting fantastic support and advice from the RHS but need to secure £5,000 in sponsorship to cover the full construction costs.”

With over 95,000 visitors expected to, what is one of the most prestigious garden design shows in the summer calendar, there are many opportunities for potential partners to showcase their services. 

Interested parties should contact Sid Stratton on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07708 391841. More info on www.sidgardendesign.co.uk

The BBC Gardener’s World Live runs from Thursday 11 –Sun 14 June 2015 -www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com