DESIGNING FOR DROUGHT AND DOWNPOURS
Between Extremes at The Royal Norfolk Show 2026
An award-winning show garden for the Royal Norfolk Show, Between Extremes explored how a small domestic garden could respond to increasingly extreme weather. The design transitioned from drought-tolerant gravel planting to a lush rain garden, demonstrating how resilient design strategies can be incorporated into everyday spaces.
DESIGNING FOR DROUGHT AND DOWNPOURS
A BORDER THAT NEEDED A BIT MORE ABOUT IT
Characterful border redesign — NR4, Norwich
A prominent but underperforming border redesigned to become a feature in its own right. Ornamental grasses, architectural foliage and long-flowering perennials bring movement, texture and seasonal interest, while evergreen structure keeps the planting working year-round. A vintage enamel sign provides a distinctive focal point and a nod to local Norwich heritage.
Before
Design
After
A BORDER THAT NEEDED A BIT MORE ABOUT IT
Before
Design
After
A SPACE THAT WAS MAKING LIFE DIFFICULT
A SPACE THAT WAS MAKING LIFE DIFFICULT
Woodland front garden — NR1, Norwich
A shaded, sloping front garden beneath a mature magnolia where turf had repeatedly failed. Rather than fighting the site's difficult conditions, the design embraced them, using layered shade-tolerant planting, ferns and evergreen structure to create a woodland-inspired garden with year-round interest.
