For the fifth year running, the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) return to BBC Gardeners’ World Live with the Show Garden competition, APL Avenue.
This is an opportunity for five APL contractors to feature their inspirational, aspirational and relatable gardens at the Show, taking place at Birmingham’s NEC from 18-21 June 2020. The winning garden will be awarded Best APL Avenue Show Garden by the Show Garden Assessment Panel, plus a public vote will crown the visitors’ favourite.
Themed ‘A Very British Affair’ in 2020, the five gardens within APL Avenue give visitors the opportunity to witness first-hand what variety, quality, creativity and interpretation of a brief can be achieved in a small space when engaging the skills of a professional landscaper.
The designs are infused with quintessentially British themes which have, in turn, influenced each garden’s styles and planting ideas – from scenic British woodland, allotments and coastline to the drama of brutalist architecture and James Bond.
The landscapers who will build their Show Gardens at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2020 are:
- Gunns & Roses, inspired by the British manufacturing industry. Designed by Butterworth Horticulture
- Earthstone Landscapes, inspired by Ian Fleming’s James Bond. Designed by Earthstone Landscapes
- Outdoor Creations, inspired by the British allotment. Designed by Dermot Cowper, Outdoor Creations
- TAW Garden Landscapes, inspired by British Woodland. Designed by ABL Garden Designs
- Teasels Landscapes, inspired by the British coastline. Designed by Chasing Arcadia Garden Designs
Bob Sweet, horticultural director of BBC Gardeners’ World Live, said: “APL Avenue consistently delights us with a marvellous collection of Show Gardens and 2020 will be no exception. In a dramatic contrast to the previous international theme, the 2020 theme of ‘A Very British Affair’ has resulted in a collection of designs that, whilst being completely different, each embody an essence of Britishness, from James Bond to our native woodlands.
“Their distinctive and recognisable influences will no doubt touch the hearts of visitors and, as each garden is designed with real clients in mind, offer up a host of ideas that can be translated beautifully in an average back garden. The five landscapers going forward have presented fantastic designs, and we know that each will be built to a very high standard.”
Designit Landscapes, with designer Lucy Bravington, achieved a Platinum Award and Best in Show for their APL Avenue Show Garden ‘High Line’ at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2019. Of her experience, Lucy said “APL Avenue is a fantastic opportunity for garden designers and landscape contractors to collaborate and showcase exceptional design and build.
“The show gardens are a realistic size and budget, allowing visitors to visualise what is possible in their own garden. It was great to speak with so many visitors and talk them through the design process and construction details. Many were keen to replicate elements from our design in their own garden, particularly the Corten water bowl and the low maintenance planting” (designitlandscapes.co.uk, lucybravington.com)
In this, the APL’s 25th anniversary year, members of their team, as well as the landscapers, will be on hand throughout all four days of the event. They’ll share their wealth of knowledge with up to 101,000 visitors, demystifying the process of a garden build and giving advice on costs and options.
To ensure top-quality design and construction, each garden will receive a contribution towards the build. Marshalls and Rolawn are both garden product suppliers, with Marshalls supplying products from their domestic range and Rolawn supplying their turf and topsoil.
