THE team at Burncoose Nurseries, near Ponsanooth, has been awarded a gold medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 for their “Over the Garden Hedge” display.

Located in the Great Pavilion, the stand features an impression of a Cornish hedge, with beautiful traditional stonework wall providing both clear definition and soft planting opportunities. On one side is a temperate rainforest inspired garden; on the other, drought-tolerant coastal planting.

The garden, sponsored by Hand Picked Hotels, is designed by Louisa Lazarowicz and Eve Swanson and features rare and unusual plants not often found in the average garden. A judges’ favourite was Cornus kousa ‘Scarlet Fire’, a spectacular new introduction from the USA with long-lasting vibrant pink to fuchsia bracts.

Burncoose is in its 42nd year of attending the show. Owner Charles Williams said: “We’re delighted with our gold medal. The team worked tirelessly, and this is hard-earned and well-deserved.

“We wanted to demonstrate that gardens are a wonderful place to create microclimates and spaces that support diversity, both from an ecological and sociological perspective. 'Over the Garden Hedge' encourages us to look to our neighbours and celebrate the harmony and flow of two worlds coming together. Think of the hedge not as a barrier, but as a point of connection.”

Burncoose teamed up with Guernsey-based charity Grow, which supports adults with learning disabilities and difficulties to build confidence and life skills through occupational training and mentoring in areas including horticulture, hospitality, retail and woodworking, helping them feel valued and included in the workplace and wider community.

The partnership highlighted the positive impact gardening can have on mental health and in supporting diversity and inclusion.

The 2026 gold medal brings the Burncoose Chelsea tally to 29 gold medals, 15 silver gilt medals, three silver medals and three bronze medals, and a Plant of Year award in 2020 for Viburnum 'Kilimanjaro Sunrise'.