Josh's design chosen for prestigious Malvern Show

Josh, aged 20, is studying for a BSc in Horticulture at Pershore, which is part of Warwickshire College, and was one of six students to submit their garden designs to a team of judges.

Every year BSc and HND Horticulture students take part in the competition to design the college’s entry at the prestigious Malvern Spring Show.  This year students were given an ‘insect friendly’ theme for their designs. They had to include elements such as seating, water and at least two entrances into the garden while also incorporating elements such as ‘bug hotels’, pollinating flowers, vibrant colours and camomile lawns.

Josh’s design uses a tree as a focal point for the garden, supported by four planting areas containing herbaceous plants, herbs, grasses and annuals; which are all beneficial to pollinating insects.

His garden will also feature ‘pollinator screens’ which are screens of varying height, each containing materials insects can use to make their homes including egg boxes, old paperback books and other natural products along with ‘nectar bars’ with edible plants including herbs as well as a camomile lawn, a seating area and water strips.

One of the reasons Josh’s design was chosen was because he had considered all pollinating insects, not just bees.  An unusual part of the garden will be the ‘wine rope’ which is a rope covered in wine and sugar to attract adult moths.

Judge and garden design tutor at the college, Tony Davy said: “Josh's design was chosen from strong competition, the judges thought it was both eye-catching and educational. We have high hopes that Josh's garden will continue Pershore's successful run at Malvern.”

Josh said: “I’m really pleased that my design got picked and I can’t wait to build it with the rest of my group next term.

“It will be fantastic to follow it through from the design process and then actually get to build it.”

The design will now be built by Josh and his fellow students the week before the Malvern Spring show in May, and they will have just seven days to construct it on site.

The students are hoping to pick up a much coveted gold medal, as Pershore College has done for the past two years.

The Malvern Spring Show is being held at the Three Counties Showground between 10 and 13 May.  Pershore College will also have a marquee at the show containing plant and produce sales and careers advice and guidance on all courses offered at the college.

To find out more and to follow the progress of the Malvern Spring Show visit www.warwickshire.ac.uk/horticulture