The Balanced Garden - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fshows%2Frhs-flower-show-tatton-park-2023%2Fgardens%2Fthe-balanced-garden) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fshows%2Frhs-flower-show-tatton-park-2023%2Fgardens%2Fthe-balanced-garden) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](/help) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/gardens/the-balanced-garden/primary_image.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2023 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/rhs-flower-show-tatton-park-2023) Terrace Garden ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/gold-medal/icon.webp) Gold Medal The Balanced Garden ===================== Designed by Amy Gunning At a glance Show RHS Flower Show Tatton Park Year 2023 Category Terrace Garden Small Show Garden Photo: Royal Horticultural Society About this garden The story ----------- This is a relaxing garden with strong design elements and colourful, sensory planting, which also includes some clever touches to provide space for children to play. The key features include a vibrant tiled wall and a water feature alongside a generous floating timber bench and sandbox. The garden’s ambition is to create an enjoyable place both for adults to relax and entertain, and children to play and explore, within the same small space. It looks to balance the needs of both, without the children and their toys taking over. A sandpit doubles up as both storage and seating; there is a blackboard for spontaneous artwork; and the path is made from Scottish pebbles, which look like marbles when wet. Everything is at child-height so they can easily see and be seen, and the water pool is very shallow, not only for safety but also making it practical for washing hands and toys. This design demonstrates that small family gardens can meet the needs of both generations without being overly child-centric. This functional balance can be achieved whilst also being beautiful, wildlife-friendly and filled with lovely plants: an elegant solution to a relatable problem. Daisies are used throughout – it is reported that children are particularly drawn to the daisy form. Award Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/gold-medal/icon.webp) Gold Medal RHS The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ ![Amy Gunning](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/people/amy-gunning/profile_photo.webp) Amy Gunning Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/amy-gunning) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/85a583c8-d34e-4195-a142-148b39acde59/conversions/The-Balanced-Garden-2-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/3d3e5eb1-41c2-4505-ad3e-5c2d43c56f4a/conversions/The-Balanced-Garden-5-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/b1b17189-fb42-4a0c-a350-5433627d51ae/conversions/The-Balanced-Garden-4-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/23663a2f-6895-4576-a780-41e4591a5017/conversions/The-Balanced-Garden-1-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/0d0b8529-02da-4ecb-ab26-a7fcaad8791e/conversions/The-Balanced-Garden-3-gallery.webp) ![]() / Photo: Brought to life by Organisations --------------- ### Landscaper 1 - [ ![George-Stone Gardens](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/george-stone-gardens/logo.webp) George-Stone Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/organisations/george-stone-gardens) ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. 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