THE APOTHECARY
RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2023

AWARDS​

RHS Silver -Gilt Medal

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The Apothecary was a working garden filled with plants traditionally grown for healing, nourishment and everyday use.

Created for RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2023, the garden explored the long relationship between people and plants, drawing inspiration from historic apothecary gardens, domestic herb plots and Tom Saunders’ travels through the Colombian Andes. At its heart was the idea of a garden as a place of practical knowledge. Herbs were gathered, dried and prepared. Flowers were valued not only for their beauty, but for their traditional uses. The space was designed to feel lived in and purposeful: somewhere a gardener might work quietly through the seasons, surrounded by scent, texture and plants with stories to tell. The Apothecary was awarded an RHS Silver-Gilt Medal and was featured on BBC Gardeners’ World.

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Plants with purpose

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The planting included elder, lavender, rosemary, dog rose, mint, thyme, marigold, nasturtium and passion flower. Each plant had been selected for its traditional association with health, wellbeing or domestic remedies. Some were familiar cottage-garden plants, while others reflected the wider global history of plant medicine. Together they formed a garden that was both beautiful and useful, inviting visitors to look more closely at species they might otherwise take for granted.

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Reclaimed materials

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The hard landscaping reinforced the garden’s quiet, timeworn character.

A small summerhouse was constructed using reclaimed windows, while a substantial York stone table contained a central planting space. A herb-drying rack and Victorian-style linen airer introduced the practical details of a working garden.

Reused and reclaimed materials helped the garden feel established rather than newly built. They also reflected a wider commitment to making thoughtful use of existing resources.

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Ancient knowledge, contemporary garden

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Although inspired by historic traditions, The Apothecary was not intended as a recreation of the past. Instead, it asked how old knowledge might remain relevant within a contemporary garden. The design encouraged visitors to think about the plants they grow, the value of seasonal rituals and the garden’s potential to support both physical and emotional wellbeing.