Winning Gold at the Harrogate Flower Show doesn't happen by accident. As a Material Innovation Partner for Common Ground — the 2026 Gold Award-winning garden designed by FDA Landscape and built by J Paxman Landscapes — British Recycled Plastic had a front-row seat to what makes a show garden truly stand out.
Below are some of our tips for creating a stand-out show garden that will leave a lasting impression.
1. Start with Community
The most memorable show gardens aren't just beautiful — they provide lasting value. From day one, Common Ground was built around a genuine community purpose, with a post-show future already planned before a single spade hit the ground. After wowing thousands of visitors in Harrogate and attracting coverage from ITV and BBC News, the garden has settled in its permanent home at Project Colt, a Yorkshire-based charity working to support people in recovery. Common Ground is now part of a thriving community garden, filled with vegetables and herbs for local people to enjoy.
2. Commit to Your Theme
The best show gardens have a clear visual identity. In Common Ground, that running theme was community and togetherness. With the help of Yorkshire artist Serena Rogers and other members of Project Colt, the vibrant ‘TOGETHER’ mural sat at the heart of the garden, alongside hand-painted pebbles which were woven into the garden wall. This unique artwork elevated Common Ground to be something truly special, reflecting the creativity, passion, and even the lush green landscape found in abundance over at Project Colt.
3. Design for Adaptability
One of the key decisions made early in the Common Ground project was choosing materials and structures that could be dismantled and relocated with ease. British Recycled Plastic’s modular Parklets — used as the garden's planter and seating structure — were perfect for the job as they are designed to be reconfigured and rehomed. Adaptability wasn’t an afterthought or coincidence; it's a design principle that lies at the heart of Common Ground.
4. Sustainability is More Than a Talking Point
Sustainability was one of the core tenets of Common Ground. Featuring 100% recycled plastic Parklets from British Recycled Plastic, as well as reclaimed timber forming the stunning garden archway, the material choices resonated with visitors and judges alike — reflecting the garden's community values both in theme and in practice. Judges praised the thoughtful blend of planting, timber, and planters beneath the tree canopy, noting how the planter seating brought a sense of symmetry to the oak seating area and tied the whole space together.
5. Work with the Right Team
Common Ground was a true team effort, and its Gold Award is a reflection of what can be achieved when passionate people and organisations come together around a shared vision. British Recycled Plastic were pleased to once again be working with J Paxman Landscapes, who not only delivered the build, but took the lead on coordinating each contributor to bring every element together seamlessly. Their trust and experience with our recycled plastic materials helped ensure that the project was a huge success.
Jason Elliott, Director at British Recycled Plastic, reflected on the team’s contribution to Common Ground:
"Being part of a Gold-winning garden at Harrogate is something the whole British Recycled Plastic team is incredibly proud of. Common Ground is a perfect example of how sustainable materials don't have to compromise on quality or ambition — in fact, they can elevate a project entirely. What makes this one extra special is that the garden lives on as a genuine community asset. That's exactly what we're about: products built to last, in spaces that matter to people."
Congratulations to the entire team for their involvement:
We can’t wait to see what next year brings!
Looking to bring that same thinking to your own outdoor space? Our modular Parklets are built for exactly this kind of project — durable, sustainable, and designed to go wherever they're needed.
Visit britishrecycledplastic.co.uk to find out more, or contact on [email protected] / 01422 419 555
