Wotton-under-Edge garden designer selected to exhibit unique unique plans at Malvern Spring Festival

Pippa Shennan, of Wotton-under-Edge, was selected against stiff competition to design and exhibit one of the Festival Gardens at next year’s Royal Horticultural Society Malvern Spring Festival.

The Festival Garden theme chosen for the 2016 festival is ‘Hidden Gems’ and Pippa drew from personal experience to create her unique design.

Her garden, entitled ‘A private refuge – a hidden gem’, is believed to be the first to have been designed specifically to cut out external noise through the use of acoustic fencing and a careful choice of water features, plants and trees.

She said: “As I have a problem with external noise and privacy in my own garden I decided to design something that addresses these issues.

“It is a common problem, particularly in towns and cities, so hopefully my design and the ideas contained in it will be something from which others can benefit.

“The design and building of a show garden is an expensive business so I am looking for sponsors who might have an interest in helping me to achieve my aim”.

Pippa added to her degree in Agricultural Botany by achieving a pass with distinction in Garden Design only three years ago and then setting up a consultancy, Earthmark Garden Design.

Recently she has also gained a diploma in Garden Design, Planting Design and Horticulture and become an accredited partner of Wildflower Turf Limited with specialist knowledge of designing, installing and maintaining wildflower environments.

Pippa is also a keen gardener and artist; regularly exhibiting with both the Royal Watercolour Society and the Society of Botanical Artists in London.

Anyone interested in sponsoring her garden can email Pippa at earthmarkgardendesign@ymail.com.

RHS Malvern Spring Festival has made a name for itself as a showcase for emerging talent in the Show Gardens, Festival Gardens and School Gardens.

2015 saw two Show Gardens and two Festival Gardens scoop coveted RHS Gold Medals.