Kate Gould Gardens is absolutely delighted to announce that its 2017 Fresh Garden ‘City Living’ won not only a gold medal but also best in category at the RHS Chelsea Flower show this week.

Speaking from the showground on medals day Kate said “City Living is the most ambitious garden I have ever designed for Chelsea. Without the skill, determination and sheer hard work of the most amazing team we would never have made it. There were moments when I thought we wouldn’t but I shouldn’t have doubted the guys. They are epic and have realised my creation on paper into the most wondrous of creations of which I am so, so proud.  Every time I look at the garden I have to pinch myself that it is actually there and looks if anything far better than it did in my head. Hats off and huge thanks to everyone involved.”

A thought provoking Fresh Garden with a strong environmental message, ‘City Living’ was inspired by Kate’s personal experiences of working in and around London, ‘City Living’ is set on a 12×6 plot and built across three levels featuring a basement, mezzanine and top floor. Following in the footsteps of her 2013 garden ‘The Wasteland’, ‘City Living’ provides greenery to an imagined apartment block where there is very little scope for outdoor green space but where every opportunity, no matter how small, is used to provide useable outdoor spaces for residents whilst also providing much needed wildlife corridors in urban areas.

On the top level is an area shaded by a pergola, the mid levels have occasional seating and there are two secluded seating areas at basement level. The planting used throughout is a mix of hardy tropical shade lovers in the basement area whilst the planting on the upper floors responds to the light levels they would receive in reality.

A regular exhibitor at RHS Chelsea, this is Kate’s fourth gold medal and third ‘Best in category’ having also received this highly coveted award for her 2007 Upstairs Downstairs garden and 2009 Eco Chic garden.