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AWARDS:
RHS Gold Medal
People’s Choice Show Garden
Highly Commended, RHS Environmental Innovation Award

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Lifted by Birds was a garden shaped by the movements, needs and presence of British birdlife.

Created for RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026, the garden was designed collaboratively by Tom Saunders of Skylark Garden Design, Jon Pilling of The Intrinsic Link and ornithologist Dr Amie Wheeldon of Bud & Bird Gardens.

 

The original idea began with a barn owl moving silently through an old rural building. That fleeting encounter inspired a garden that felt both sheltered and open, bringing together elements of meadow, woodland edge, wetland and traditional farm architecture.

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Lifted by Birds was awarded an RHS Gold Medal, voted People’s Choice Show Garden and received Highly Commended recognition in the RHS Environmental Innovation Award.

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Designing through the eyes of a bird

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Rather than adding wildlife features to a finished design, the garden was planned around the needs of birds from the outset.

Planting provided berries, seeds, insects and nesting material across the seasons. Trees and shrubs offered cover and vantage points, while water, damp ground and meadow supported a wider food chain. The design considered how birds move through a landscape: where they pause, forage, nest and feel protected. This approach created a garden that was ecologically purposeful but also deeply atmospheric for people.

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Planting for life

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More than 3,750 plants were used within the garden. Species including crab apple, rowan, guelder rose, ragged Robin, tufted hair grass and bloody cranesbill were selected for their ecological value as well as their form, texture and seasonal interest. The planting moved between open glade, woodland edge and wetter ground, creating a varied landscape within a relatively small space. This diversity allowed the garden to support insects, amphibians and other wildlife alongside birds.

 

Materials and landscape

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The garden drew inspiration from the Peak District and from traditional rural buildings weathered by time.

Local stone and reclaimed timber created walls, shelter and structure. Permeable surfaces allowed water to move naturally through the garden, while a pond and bog area introduced valuable wet habitat. The materials were chosen for their low impact, their ability to be reused and their connection to the rural landscapes that inspired the design.

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A collaborative garden

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Lifted by Birds brought together garden design, horticulture and ornithological science. Tom Saunders and Jon Pilling shaped the garden’s spatial and material character, while Dr Amie Wheeldon’s knowledge of bird behaviour ensured that its habitats were rooted in genuine ecological understanding. The project was supported by a wide network of growers, craftspeople, conservation organisations and project partners, each contributing to the richness and authenticity of the finished garden.

 

A lasting legacy

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Following the show, the garden was relocated through Greenfingers Charity to the James Hopkins Trust. There, it will become a peaceful and wildlife-rich space for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. This permanent home extended the life of the garden beyond the showground, allowing its planting, habitats and sense of shelter to continue developing for years to come.