The garden that took the top place at Ideal Young Gardeners of the Year 2017 features burnt timber planters and is designed to be low maintenance, sustainable and to encourage social interaction.
TV gardener David Domoney said of the garden: "I thought that it was an innovative, stylish design that combined practicality with beauty. The contrasting colours – the light flooring with the dark timber and that ebony and ivory effect - combines beautifully with the multi-stem trees. The refuse bin and recycling bin is hidden with practicality and style. Writtle University College should feel proud of the hard work of its students and teacher."
Further education lecturer in horticulture Ben Wincott provided guidance to the team of 10 Level 3 Horticulture students who built the garden last week at the show in Kensington Olympia.
He said: "I am very proud of what the students have achieved and the new skills they have learnt. It’s been a fun but hard week and they really have got inspired. The garden is high-quality and it’s good to see them do well and know they have done well."
Sean Tapner, 18, from Chelmsford, was one of the Level 3 Horticulture students who designed and built the garden. The team started on the project in September 2016.
He said: "We are all struck with emotion as we put a lot of hard work into the build with the help of Ben. It’s great to hear the feedback from the public and David Domoney. I am really happy we have won, the team deserves it."
It was the first time the college competed at the show under its new identity, after being awarded University College status in May and changing its name and branding in August.
The students donated their £1,500 winnings to Comic Relief.
The contest is organised by TV Gardener David Domoney, in association with the Prince’s Foundation, and sees six of the UK’s top landscaping and horticultural colleges compete. The brief for this year’s competition was to create an inspirational front garden, to give a homeowner a spectacular welcome home and brighten up the street.
