I’m delighted to have been selected to design and create a Beautiful Border for the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair 2026 at Audley End House & Gardens.
Inspired by woodland, childhood reading and the enduring connection between stories and nature, the border explores how even a small planted space can offer beauty, habitat and a place to pause, look closely and reconnect with the natural world.
The Story Behind the Border, ‘Where Did Your Love of Nature Begin?’
As a child I loved nature-themed stories. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, anything by Beatrix Potter and, less well-known, The Little Grey Men by B.B., whose small protagonists lived among the roots of an ancient oak beside a woodland stream. These stories drew me to notice and love small details of nature. I lived near woodland and would often come home with pieces of eggshell fallen from a nest, a feather or a frond of bracken. I loved the smell of wild angelica in the hedgerows. These memories, together with the woodland setting of Audley End House & Gardens, inspired me to design the border and name it, ‘Where Did Your Love of Nature Begin?’
The Design
Inspired by woodland and the stories I loved as a child, the 3m x 3m border captures the layered, slightly wild character of the forest floor. Naturalistic planting, a wildlife pond, log pile and an old oak stump as the centre-piece create a small, immersive landscape rich in habitat and seasonal interest.
The Planting
Autumnal planting is arranged in naturalistic layers, combining evergreen structure with a restrained palette of seasonal reds, greens and pale creams. Contrasting foliage, form and texture create depth and interest, reflecting the richness of a woodland floor.
Looking Closely
The border invites visitors to pause and look more closely, to pick up a book, examine leaves and stems through a magnifying glass and discover small details of woodland life.
The Fair
The BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair takes place at Audley End House & Gardens, Essex, from 11-13th September 2026. This year’s Beautiful Borders are inspired by the theme, ‘Once Upon a Time,’ exploring childhood memories, stories and imaginative planting in small places.
Visit ‘Where Did Your Love of Nature Begin?’ at the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair here.
Earthly Beauty Gardens 