The Way Of St James Show Garden Wins People’s Choice Award
Acacia Gardens proudly announces that The Way Of St James Garden, created for the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2024, has won the esteemed People’s Choice Award for Best Show Garden. Designed by Nilufer Danis and sponsored by Axencia Turismo de Galicia and the Tourist Office of Spain, this homage to the pilgrimage captivated the public with its impressive design. In addition to the People’s Choice Award, the garden also received a silver medal from the official judges, who praised the construction quality as very good, demonstrating the dedication of the Acacia Gardens team.
Why The People Loved The Way Of St James Show Garden
The public’s overwhelming adoration for this garden is a testament to its inspiring design and the precise construction by Acacia Gardens.
Set in Galicia, Spain, and designed for a prominent Galician family, the garden draws inspiration from the region’s extensive gardens. Tall hedges typically divide these into ornamental, horticultural, and woodland areas. Focusing primarily on a woodland setting, the garden offers a serene sanctuary for relaxation, echoing the tranquil setting of a forest.
Metal arches adorned with scented climbers and gravel paths enhance the romantic nature of Galician gardens. At the same time, granite paving reflects typical local materials, and familiar shrubs and perennial species pay homage to Galicia’s dense, ancient forests.
Key elements of the garden include a pilgrim statue, Camino symbols such as the Santiago cross and a yellow arrow, a water fountain, a natural pond, boulders, trees, and woodland planting. These features create an atmosphere reminiscent of the pilgrims’ journey.
The construction aimed to establish a mature look for the landscape foliage and planting. Carefully placed stones and rocks and a natural-appearing water feature enhance the garden’s relaxing and soothing appeal.
Building The Way of St James Garden at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival was a profound experience. Acacia Gardens is honoured to have brought Nilufer Danis’s vision to life. The visitors voting for the People’s Choice Show Garden is a nod to Acacia Gardens as the go-to landscaper for residential clients. We are in the business of pleasing people, so winning this accolade meant so much to the entire construction team.
Herman Pobrati
Managing Director Acacia Gardens Ltd
Special thanks to Anna Omiotek-Tott for her beautiful garden photography and to Gareth Wilson (G.K. Wilson Garden & Landscape Consultancy Limited) and Riverdale Falls UK for their invaluable contributions.
