The search is on for the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Young Designer of the Year 2018. Over the last 10 years the competition has provided a unique platform for emerging young talent by offering the chance to create their own Show Garden at a prestigious RHS Show.

Held at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, supported by Bruntwood, which also celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, the popular competition will provide more opportunity than ever for new and experienced designers aged 28 and under by extending its shortlist of finalists from three to five as part of the competition’s 10th year celebrations.

RHS show manager Isobel Coulter said: “We are so excited to celebrate a decade of championing young talent at RHS Tatton Park. Offering young people a chance to kick start their horticultural careers is a huge passion for us and a driving force at the Show and as a result the standard continues to rise with the talent of these young designers. We can’t wait to welcome our five new finalists for a very special year in 2018.”

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park has become synonymous with budding new talent, with previous finalists and winners going on to design at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, including Hugo Bugg (2010) and Sam Ovens (2014), who also won a Gold Medal at the first ever RHS Chatsworth Flower Show this year.

RHS Young Designer finalist Kate Savill and 2015 winner Tamara Bridge designed The Jo Whiley Scent Garden as part of the BBC Radio 2 ‘Feel Good Gardens’ at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, while Tony Woods, who won the title in 2013, recently made history by creating London’s first Floating Pocket Park at Merchant Square in Paddington.

Each successful finalist will receive expert mentorship, advice and support from award-winning garden designer Paul Hervey-Brookes, along with a grant of £11,500 to bring their garden designs to life.

Paul Hervey-Brookes, who has mentored the competition for the past four years, said: “I am thrilled to be mentor in the RHS Young Designer competition, especially for this very exciting 10th anniversary! Year on the year the designers and gardens have been more and more accomplished so I can’t wait to see what a new group of talented hopefuls bring!”

The RHS Young Designer competition 2018 is now open to those aged 28 years and under:

Application links:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/TattonParkGardenApplications

Application deadline 24 November 2017

Competition Enquiries: exhibitorapplications@rhs.org.uk