APL Show Gardens

Harrogate Flower Shows is delighted to launch the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) ‘Over the Garden Fence’ category for Spring 2026. 

Four unique gardens for smaller and urban spaces will be created by new and established APL accredited garden designers. Thoughtfully designed for real homes and everyday living, these gardens demonstrate how the perfect garden oasis can be achieved even the most compact of spaces.

The Breathing Space demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform a small urban plot into a calm, restorative retreat. Inspired by Nordic principles and crafted with Yorkshire makers, the garden centres around a bespoke sauna as its focal point.

Locally sourced stone shapes seating and paving, while a simple boardwalk guides movement. A small bistro setting allows for both social interaction and quiet pause.

Balanced materials and planting create a strong connection to nature, showing how limited spaces can support wellbeing.

Common Ground explores how shared outdoor spaces can foster connection across communities. Designed as an enclosed garden room, it centres on collective use, with modular planters forming a productive boundary for growing together and integrated seating encouraging conversation and gathering.

A central seating area and cantilevered bench anchor the space, while reclaimed timber and recycled materials reflect a low-impact, adaptable approach. Community contributions—such as hand-painted pebbles and collaborative artwork—are woven into the design.

With wildflower turf, a feature tree, and foliage-rich planting, the garden offers a flexible model for inclusive, shared spaces in dense urban environments.

Hidden Currents reveals a layered landscape where structure and softness work in balance to create an immersive retreat. What appears simple at first unfolds into a sequence of spaces, with pockets of planting, reflection, and shade encouraging exploration.

Biophilic principles guide the design, using planting to promote airflow and movement. Water, light, and shadow interact through reflective surfaces, mist, and a patterned canopy.

Soft, airy planting contrasts with bold architectural forms, blending natural materials to create a space that feels dynamic, breathable, and alive.