Businesses team up to win best showcase garden

Landscapers and designers from across the East of England have won the best showcase garden at an event

A team of landscapers and designers have won the best showcase garden at a fair hosted at a stately home, celebrating the strength in working together.

BBC Gardeners' World hosted its Autumn Fair at Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden, Essex, over the weekend.

The Pursuit of Excellence Garden was created by businesses in Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent and marked the 30th anniversary of the Association of Professional Landscapers.

Ian Hodgson, head assessor at the event, said the design celebrated "the APL's 30th anniversary, showcasing the skills and craftsmanship of professional landscapers".

The garden featured layered planting suitable for year-round as well as architectural and drought-tolerant planting.

It was designed by Paul Newman from Designscape and Sarah Plested from Bramley Apple Garden Design, both based in Hertfordshire.

Phil Tremayne, general manager of the Association of Professional Landscapers, said: "The Pursuit of Excellence Garden was conceived and created with a collaboration of top landscapers and designers."

Visitors got to vote on their favourite gardens for The People's Choice awards

TKE Landscaping, Landscapes by Design, Holland Landscapes and Haldon Construction Ltd, all based in Essex, helped with the building of the garden alongside Daryl Gannon Landscapes from Kent and P.R. Kedge Landscapes from Buckinghamshire.

Mr Tremayne added that it demonstrated "the value of great design and perfection in construction".

Garden tours, workshops, and talks were held at the English Heritage site as part of the event.

Downing College, Cambridge, and Val Christman from Widford in Hertfordshire both won gold awards for their showcase gardens.

Lucy Tremlett, event director at Immediate Live, organisers of BBC Gardeners' World events, said: "We never fail to be impressed by the design, planning, teamwork and creativity that go into creating a Showcase Garden."