The first-ever RHS Badminton Flower Show is officially underway – and a Gloucestershire show garden has won gold!
Bringing spectacular show gardens, the nation's best plant nurseries, and a host of celebrity guests to Gloucestershire for the very first time, the show opened today and saw Nailsworth-based Austin Design Works' Artisan Woodland Craft Garden awarded an RHS Gold and win Best Artisan Garden at the show.
Designed by Rachael Austin and inspired by the woodlands of the Ruskin Valley and the work of the Ruskin Mill Trust, it is her first-ever show garden, and features a naturalistic planting scheme representing the woodlands surrounding Ruskin Mill College, as well as live demonstrations of the therapeutic crafts its students can learn there.
Speaking to SoGlos, Rachael said: 'To have won a gold for my first show garden I've ever made, at the inaugural RHS Badminton Flower Show, is just incredible. I couldn't have asked for more.
'I've lived in the Stroud Valleys for a long time – and the Ruskin Mill Valley especially. There's a long connection with our family, and our business, so I'm very familiar with the place.
'I've been planning this in my head every time I've walked the dog, every time I've walked down into town, thinking which plants will look good where – but what I really love is the integration of craft into the landscape.
'You really get that connection of where the material has come from and how it ends up becoming a really beautiful piece, and I think that sums up the Ruskin Mill Trust's approach to education.'
She also thanked the team that worked tirelessly on the build in heatwave temperatures, the suppliers of plants and materials for the garden – nearly all of which are from within a 10-mile radius of Nailsworth – and supporters of the project, remarking on how friendly and supportive she's found the horticulture community.
Gloucestershire was well-represented in other areas of the show, too, with Olbas from Gloucester-based Lanes Health sponsoring the Electuary garden; and one of the show's highlights, a feature garden dedicated to philanthropist Julia Rausing, whose charitable trust has helped to fund the refurbishment of Gloucester Cathedral's organ.
There is inspiration at every corner, from a multitude of pocket planting gardens inspired by rewilding brownfield land, a series of allotment gardens encouraging gardeners to grow their own, a Perfume Pavilion full of fragrant plants inspired by Cath Kidston, and even a Moulin Rouge-inspired garden, compete with red windmill!
Climate change gardening is a key topic, with the show's experts sharing their top tips on how to keep plants healthy as temperatures heat up.
While for those looking to stock up for their own garden, there's everything from hot tubs, sculptures and garden buildings, to bulbs and blooms in the gigantic Floral Marquee.
RHS Badminton Flower Show runs from Wednesday 8 until Sunday 12 July 2026.
Tickets cost from £35.36 per adult and are free for under 16s – with discounts available for RHS members, and pre-bookable all-day parking for £5.25.
To book tickets, visit rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-badminton-flower-show.
