I designed this planting bed for the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival in 2021, where it was selected to be exhibited after I submitted the design in January that year.

Thirteen designs were chosen in this category, each blending flowers, fruit, and vegetables. My aim was to create something anyone could try at home, so I grew most of the plants myself from seeds in my small garden.

Named ‘Vibrant Fluidity,’ the bed demonstrates how combining fruit, vegetables, and flowers can be both practical and beautiful. I was inspired by the natural cycle of change and how everything in nature evolves over time. I chose fast-growing plants that sway with the wind, adding to the sense of movement. A curved wood-chip path winds through the vibrant flowers, with planting arranged in soft curves to enhance this flowing effect.

The colours were selected for their vibrancy and harmony, celebrating the energy of life. I included touches of orange as a nod to the losses of 2020-21, drawing inspiration from Día de Muertos, the Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ festival, where orange marigolds are central to both mourning and celebrating loved ones.

The bed received positive feedback at the show, serving as a practical example of planting design in action.