A Garden of Two Tales

Gold Medal at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2025

Awarded RHS Gold Medal, People's Choice Award and Best in Category

About the Build

In summer 2025, L & Co Exteriors proudly built The Garden of Two Tales — a Gold Medal-winning show garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. Designed to inspire curiosity and reflection, the garden invited visitors to pause, explore, and engage with its layered spaces with woodland-inspired planting that thrives in dappled light.

The garden was designed by Daniel March and brought to life by our team in collaboration with DH Studios. Together, we transformed a courtyard woodland-edge concept into a fully immersive outdoor experience — earning Gold, People’s Choice, and Best Garden of Curiosity awards.

The Concept

The Garden of Two Tales was designed to spark curiosity and reflection. Visitors were guided across a central water reel into a secluded seating area, purposefully arranged for quiet conversation and connection. This tranquil space was framed by vertical structures that created separation and intimacy, encouraging visitors to pause and engage with their surroundings.

Three circular water features, each with gentle running water, added movement and sound to the garden, reinforcing its calm and contemplative atmosphere. The layout demonstrated how a garden can be both a complete retreat and a distinct pocket within a larger landscape, showing that even a small space can invite dialogue, discovery, and depth.

"The idea of The Garden of Two Tales is to encourage visitors to engage in their surroundings and take a moment to pause and reflect.”

Daniel March

Garden Designer

Planting Scheme

The Garden of Two Tales featured a semi-shaded woodland-edge palette, designed to thrive in dappled light and evoke a sense of calm. The planting scheme combined soft textures, muted tones, and wildlife-friendly species, creating a layered, immersive experience that complemented the garden’s reflective atmosphere.

Hosta – Bold foliage in greens, blues, and variegated forms adds texture to shaded borders. Summer flowers attract pollinators.
Hydrangea – Long-lasting blooms from midsummer to autumn. Colours shift with soil pH, adding dynamic interest.
Carex – Grass-like evergreen sedge in green, bronze, or gold. Adds movement and softens planting edges.
Agapanthus – Tall stems with globe-shaped flowers bring vertical drama and late-summer colour. Thrives in sunny spots.

Key Features of the Garden

Four key features defined the garden’s atmosphere and layout, each designed to invite intrigue, movement, and conversation.

Water Features

London Plane in Umbrella Form

Vertical Screens

Seating Area

An Award Winning Garden

We were honoured to receive:

Gold Medal from RHS Judges

Best Garden of Curiosity

People’s Choice Best Garden of Curiosity

These awards reflect the care, craftsmanship, and creativity we bring to every project — from show gardens to private homes.

Gallery: A Garden of Two Tales

Explore the build from concept to completion.

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L & Co Exteriors Landscaping Services in Essex
We specialise in garden design, landscaping, and outdoor living across Essex — including Chelmsford, Brentwood, Billericay, and surrounding areas. Whether you need a new patio, turfing, fencing, or a full garden makeover, we offer free quotes and friendly service.