July 2022

The Taking Root in Bootle entry landed a top prize at the prestigious RHS Tatton Flower Show recently.

Judges awarded our Could Car Less show garden a bronze medal in the Greener Front Garden category of the competition.

The prize-winning entry at Tatton was designed to highlight the importance of giving up the car and travelling in a more eco-friendly way, and was even featured on coverage of the show on BBC TV’s popular Gardeners’ World programme.

The replica of a typical Bootle front garden developed by Christine Leung featured creative and practical ideas for bicycle storage, including an up-cycled bike shed with a temperature-moderating living roof.

Other features of the sustainable garden designed to promote diversity included a rainwater harvesting system and 70 species of trees, shrubs and perennials which attract pollinators, capture heat, retain carbon and moisture and maximise oxygen production.

Christine explained: “Our garden was all about encouraging people to switch to two wheels using bikes that are easy access, making them a convenient alternative to driving.

“We also want people to think twice before paving over outside spaces to make parking areas which contribute to biodiversity loss and the overheating of cities.”

The photos show various views of Taking Root in Bootle’s prize-winning garden at the RHS Tatton Flower Show.