Derby College Horticulture students stood beneath the arch in their show garden, The Artist’s Garden
Award-winning show garden designed and built by students
The garden was designed and built entirely by students on the college’s adult part-time Level 3 Horticulture Practical Skills course, based at DCG’s Broomfield Hall College in Morley, Ilkeston.
The project was constructed by the entire student group over a three-week period, under the guidance of course tutor Paul Brady.
The garden’s designer, Denise Rice of The Garden Spirit, is herself a student on the course, bringing a unique collaborative spirit to the project.
Inspired by the real garden of a Derbyshire artist, ‘The Artist’s Garden’ reflects more than 70 years of creative evolution shaped by the artist and her parents, in a life where art, making and growing are deeply intertwined.
Inside ‘The Artist’s Garden’ show garden design
Blending artistic expression with the practical charm of a traditional country cottage garden, the 11m x 9m show garden features:
- A vibrant palette of herbaceous perennials
- A floral-clad rustic arch
- A willow arbour constructed from locally grown willow
- An informal pathway of reclaimed Bonsall limestone inlaid with handcrafted fine china mosaics
- A small orchard with meadow grass underfoot
- Productive vegetable beds at its heart
The design highlights a strong connection between creativity, sustainability and traditional horticultural skills.
Continuing a 25-year legacy of success
This latest achievement reinforces DCG’s long-standing reputation for excellence in show garden design. The college’s tradition of creating award-winning gardens at BBC Gardeners’ World Live stretches back more than 25 years, including:
- Silver Gilt for the Buddhist Vihara Garden in 2025
- Platinum Award in 2024
- Silver Merit Award in 2023
What DCG leaders and designers said
Jon Collins, Vice Principal at Derby College Group said:
“This Silver Medal is a wonderful achievement and one that every student involved can be enormously proud of.
“Year after year, our horticulture students prove that they are more than capable of competing at the very highest level on a national stage, and ‘The Artist’s Garden’ is yet another shining example of the talent, dedication and teamwork that defines learning at DCG.
“It is a privilege to watch this tradition of excellence continue to grow.”
Paul Brady, Teacher of Horticulture at Derby College Group added:
“This is exactly the kind of real-world challenge that brings out the very best in our students. Designing and constructing a show garden for BBC Gardeners’ World Live requires every skill they have developed on the programme: plantsmanship, construction, design and teamwork, and they have risen to it brilliantly.
“The concept of The Artist’s Garden is beautiful, and the students threw themselves into every detail of the build with incredible dedication. I am enormously proud of what they have achieved.”
Show Garden Designer, Denise Rice said:
“Working with the students at Derby College Group to bring this vision to life has been an incredibly rewarding experience.
“Sharing the creative process with them has been a real pleasure, and to see the finished garden recognised with a Silver Medal at Gardeners’ World Live is a moment I will never forget.”
Sustainable garden design and local materials
In keeping with DCG’s commitment to sustainability, the garden uses predominantly locally sourced and reclaimed natural materials.
All components will be dismantled after the show and rehomed and repurposed, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Project sponsors and supporters
The project received generous support from sponsors including:
- Bostock Foundation
- Derbyshire Historic Gardens Trust
- Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust
- Aqualife
- Willshee’s Waste & Recycling
- RUF Briquetting Systems
- Morgan & Bond
- James Hallam Insurance Brokers
- Rowlawn
