As freshwater ponds continue to vanish across the UK landscape at an alarming rate, garden designer Charlotte Connelly is stepping into the breach. At this year’s RHS Badminton Flower Show, 8–12 July 2026,  Urban Planters will showcase A Pocket for Amphibians. This design prioritises the delicate life cycles of frogs, toads, and newts while offering a masterclass in sustainable, small-scale gardening.

 

 

Charlotte Connelly, who joined Urban Planters in 2023, has designed a space that functions as a living laboratory for biodiversity, demonstrating how even a "pocket" garden can provide essential breeding, feeding, and hibernation grounds.

 

The heart of the design is a central wildlife pond, which serves as the primary sanctuary. Unlike ornamental ponds, this feature is meticulously engineered for safety and accessibility. Iris laevigata provides a dense green curtain to shield amphibians from predators. At the same time, its sword-like leaves act as natural ramps, allowing young froglets and newts to transition safely from water to land.

 

Adjacent to the pond, a lush bog garden transitions into a mini wildflower meadow. This layered approach ensures that the environment remains damp and cool—critical for amphibians, whose permeable skin makes them highly susceptible to desiccation.

 

Anchoring the space is a native Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). While prized for its spring blossom, its inclusion here is deeply functional. The tree hosts hundreds of insect species, providing a steady buffet for hungry amphibians, while its complex root system offers a frost-free subterranean retreat for hibernating newts.

 

 

Designer Charlotte Connelly brings a unique perspective to the project, combining a BA (Hons) in Art History with five years of "boots-on-the-ground" landscaping experience. Her transition into garden design was fuelled by a commitment to biodiversity and the belief that gardens should enhance both human wellbeing and the natural environment.

 

Urban Planters: A Pocket for Amphibians will be on display at the RHS Badminton Flower Show this summer. Visitors can explore the design and take home practical ideas for creating their own wildlife corridors, no matter the size of their outdoor space.