Society of Garden + Landscape Designers

02/06/2026

**Sharing the Vision**

In his latest column for our Garden Design Journal, John Wyer FSGLD argues that a garden's long-term success depends on creating a shared understanding between the designer, client, and gardener, supported by clear communication and realistic maintenance planning.

John explains that one of the biggest reasons gardens lose their impact over time isn't poor design, but a lack of understanding about how they should be cared for.

His article stresses the importance of involving the gardener or maintenance team from the start, and he advises designers to share their design vision, explain the purpose behind planting choices, and set realistic maintenance expectations to preserve the original intent and beauty of a landscape and ensure the garden continues to thrive.

Read the full article in the June issue of the Garden Design Journal. Subscribe here: https://sgld.org.uk/garden-design-journal/

Images from Bowles & Wyer

01/06/2026

WIN TICKETS TO RHS CHELSEA 2027.

To celebrate the launch of the new SGLD newsletter, we're giving away two tickets to the next RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2027!

Simply subscribe to the newsletter and you'll automatically be entered into the prize draw.

Delivered directly to your inbox every two months, the SGLD newsletter is packed with beautiful gardens, expert advice, and creative inspiration from the UK's leading garden and landscape designers.

To subscribe and enter the prize draw, visit www.sgld.org.uk.

Good luck!

29/05/2026

WIN RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2027 Tickets!

If you missed us at RHS Chelsea this year there’s still time to enter our competition to win two one-day tickets to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2027.

Simply sign up to the SGLD consumer newsletter for your chance to win PLUS receive design inspiration, seasonal garden advice, beautiful garden projects and expert insights from our members direct to your inbox.

To enter, simply sign up via the SGLD website at www.sgld.org.uk.

Competition closes 30 June 2026 and the winner will be notified in July 2026.

Prize includes two one-day RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2027 tickets. Travel and accommodation not included. Entrants must be aged 18+.

Image by Richard Washbrooke.

28/05/2026

Based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, Jane Thomas creates beautiful gardens with a strong emphasis on purpose, sustainability and creating thriving outdoor environments that enrich everyday life.

Set against the backdrop of a beautiful period home, this project set out to reinterpret the classic English country garden for modern family living.

An outdated garden and planting scheme was transformed into a series of purposeful, connected spaces - from generous entertaining areas and colourful borders to a productive kitchen garden and places for play and sport. The result is a vibrant, layered landscape designed for modern family life.

This week, we are delighted to congratulate Jane on passing her second project in the SGLD accreditation process meaning she is now just one step away from becoming a fully Registered Member - a significant milestone and a testament to her talent.

Congratulations Jane - we look forward to following the next stage of your journey.

Find out more at www.bretonthomas.co.uk

25/05/2026

Introducing Rachel Platt who we are delighted to announce has passed her first project in the SGLD accreditation process!

A new designer with an impressive track record, in 2022 Rachel became runner-up in the RHS Young Designer of the Year at Tatton Park, winning a Silver-Gilt medal alongside Best Construction and the People’s Choice Award. That same year she was also recognised in the Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30 competition before repeating her Tatton success in 2023 with another Silver-Gilt medal, Best Construction and People’s Choice Award. In 2025 she was invited by the RHS to create one of the first feature gardens at RHS Wentworth Woodhouse.

Rachel says her gardens are "designed to enrich daily life - creating beautiful spaces that bring people closer to nature and to the rhythms of the outdoors."

We look forward to following the next chapter of her journey - congratulations Rachel!

Find out more at www.rpgardendesign.com

Photos by Julie Skelton: photography

20/05/2026

The June issue of the Garden Design Journal is out now and packed with inspiration and ideas for garden designers. In this issue -

+Tom Massey FSGLD explains how his reimagined Chelsea garden will live on in a challenging urban site in Manchester.

+Fi Boyle MSGLD takes on the complexities of designing for steeply sloping landscapes.

+Dave Green shares his experience of using elemental26, the new sustainable landscape tool.

+John Wyer FSGLD offers practical advice on working effectively with gardeners.

Finally, we remember and celebrate Nigel Dunnett, who passed away earlier this year.

Subscribe now and never miss an issue! www.sgld.org.uk
Cover Image: Carole Drake

20/05/2026

It’s Medal​s Day at RHS Chelsea and the results are in… huge congratulations to all our Members, Graduates, Students and Friends.

Simply bringing a garden to Chelsea takes an extraordinary amount of hard work, resilience and hope, so every achievement is worth celebrating.

Enjoy the week ahead and if you’re visiting, don’t forget to stop by our stand on Eastern Avenue​, where we are running a special competition.

SHOW GARDENS
*The CPRE 'On the Edge' by Sarah Eberle FSGLD​ - GOLD
*The Tate Britain Garden by Tom Stuart-Smith FSGLD​ - GOLD
*The Lady Garden Foundation 'Silent No More' Garden by Darren Hawkes​ - GOLD
*The Eden Project 'Bring Me Sunshine' Garden by Harry Holding (pictured)​ - SILVER-GILT

SMALL SHOW GARDENS
*The Boodles Garden by Dr. Catherine McDonald​ - SILVER-GILT
*The Addleshaw Goddard 'Flourish in the City' Garden by Joe Carey + Laura Carey​ - GOLD
*The Trussell’s Together Garden by Rob Hardy​ - GOLD

BALCONY GARDENS
*Fettercairn: The Angels’ Share by May Starey​ - SILVER-GILT
*Hedgerow in the Sky – Tech Mahindra by Sarah Mayfield and Monika Greenhough​ - GOLD

CONTAINERS GARDENS
*The Whittard of Chelsea Garden by Ollie Pike​ - GOLD
*The Sightsavers Garden: We Start With Sight But We Don’t Stop There by Sarah Fisher, Peter Karn and Janice Molyneux​ - BRONZE
*The Alzheimer’s Society Microbes and Minds Garden by Tina Worboys​ - SILVER

ALL ABOUT PLANTS
*The Bat Conservation Trust’s Nocturnal Garden by Melanie Hick​ - SILVER
*Cleary Gottlieb: Time for Creativity by Christina Cobb​ - GOLD

HOUSEPLANT STUDIOS
*The Composer’s Cabin by Martha Krempel​ - SILVER

Also a shout out to Sam Outing who did the showground planting and Naomi Ferret-Cohen who created an interactive showground installation.

19/05/2026

Thanks to Stephanie from The Chateau Diaries for featuring our stand at RHS Chelsea in such detail. Watch here:

Full Garden Tours at the Chelsea Flower Show 2026!If you'd like to check out our available range of Jarvis Janssen products, please go to https://jarvisjanss...

18/05/2026

Look who stopped by at RHS Chelsea today…

Do you come by and say hello if you are coming to the show this week. You will find us on Eastern Avenue, just by the London Gate.

11/05/2026

With increasing discussion around the role of artificial intelligence in garden design ahead of this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Andrew Duff MSGLD, Chair of the SGLD, has shared some thoughts on the value of professional garden design in an evolving creative landscape.

“As a practising garden designer myself, I recognise that artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly visible part of the wider design landscape and, like many creative professions, garden design will continue to evolve alongside new technologies.

"However, I believe it’s important to be clear about what professional garden designers actually do. Successful garden design is an art form. It is rooted in creativity, collaboration, experience and human connection. While technology may offer useful tools, it cannot replicate the insight, empathy and personal engagement that comes from working with a skilled garden designer to create a living, evolving natural space within the home.

"Good design begins with listening and observing - understanding how people want to live and how gardens function over time. It is about far more than generating attractive images or ideas. It requires professional judgement, technical expertise, site understanding and ongoing collaboration with clients, contractors and specialists.

"AI may become a useful tool for inspiration, visualisation and concept exploration, much as CAD evolved to support the design process. But it cannot replace the human understanding, creativity, accountability and experience that sit at the heart of successful garden and landscape design.

"As the UK’s only professional body for garden designers, the Society of Garden + Landscape Designers will continue to champion the standards, skills and value of the profession while supporting members in navigating a changing landscape. As Chair of the SGLD, I see this as an opportunity to communicate more clearly than ever the value professional designers bring - creating gardens that are thoughtful, functional, sustainable and deeply connected to both people and place.”

Garden by Stefano Marinaz MSGLD, SGLD Award winner. Photo by Alister Thorpe