Congratulations to Charlotte Connelly and the entire team at Urban Planters on winning Silver Gilt at the RHS Badminton Flower Show 2026. It is time to celebrate a well-deserved victory for “A Pocket for Amphibians". 

The garden was conceived as a direct response to the alarming decline of freshwater ponds across the UK. It serves as a poignant reminder of the vital role small-scale gardening can play in conservation. By creating a dedicated, high-quality habitat, the project aimed to demonstrate that biodiversity conservation does not require large-scale land management; it can be achieved effectively in "pocket" spaces.

The garden stood out at the RHS Badminton Flower Show for its scientific approach to wildlife support, moving beyond purely ornamental features to create a functional ecosystem:

The Sanctuary Pond:  The heart of the design, this feature was engineered specifically for the safety of amphibians. It incorporated Iris laevigata, which served the dual purpose of shielding wildlife from predators and providing essential "ramps" for young froglets and newts to move safely between water and land.

Layered Biodiversity:  To support the amphibians' permeable skin and need for damp, cool environments, the design included a transition from the pond to a lush bog garden and a mini-wildflower meadow.

Ecological Anchoring:  The inclusion of a native Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) was a masterstroke in design integration. The tree provided a vital food source for amphibians by attracting a wide array of insects, while its root system offered a necessary, frost-free refuge for hibernating newts during colder months.

This award-winning collaboration between Urban Planters and Charlotte Connelly stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful, nature-led design. Congratulations.

You can read about the garden here: https://www.urbanplanters.co.uk/rhs-badminton-2026