The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced the winners of its medals and awards at the RHS Badminton Flower Show 2026, with Sophie Leo being named Young Designer of the Year for her garden, Blue Diamond Garden Centres: Where Grief Grows Quiet.
Sophie Leo‘s garden also earned a Gold Medal and the Best Construction Award, making it a triple winner at the show.
Award-Winning Garden Design
The garden, designed by Sophie Leo, is inspired by ancient sheepfolds and features a peaceful sanctuary for rest and reflection, with planting that takes its cue from fields and hedgerows.
The planting includes Acer campestre, native grass Deschampsia cespitosa, and wildflower ribwort plantain, as well as the delicate umbellifer Cenolophium denudatum and pale yellow Iris pseudacorus ‘Bastardii’, which provides nectar for bees and hoverflies.
The garden also provides cover for frogs, toads, and birds, making it a haven for wildlife.
A Personal Tribute
The ‘Where Grief Grows’ garden has a personal resonance for Sophie Leo, who lost her own mother to cancer in 2022, and was inspired by a sketch her mother had made for a show garden before her death.
Sophie Leo has highlighted the value of having a safe and peaceful space to spend time in nature when grieving, and the garden features comfortable seating, soft planting, and walls for a sense of enclosure.
As Sophie Leo brings her mother’s vision to life, the garden serves as a tribute to her memory and a reminder of the healing power of nature.
With her own design studio based in Bristol, Sophie Leo creates gardens across the southwest of England, and has collaborated with Arne Maynard Garden Design on projects worldwide.
Those interested in seeing more of Sophie Leo‘s work can visit her website at sophieleo.com.
Sophie Leo‘s award-winning garden will inspire others to create their own peaceful sanctuaries, and her story may encourage people to think about the importance of nature in the grieving process.
The RHS Badminton Flower Show
The RHS Badminton Flower Show brings together designer show gardens, floral displays, and expert talks, and this year’s event was held in a new location in Gloucestershire.
The show provides a platform for garden designers to showcase their work and share their expertise with visitors.
They come from various parts of the country to participate in the event.
Garden designers use this opportunity to display their creations.
