Designer’s career comes into bloom with award

William Quarmby, 28, from Thirsk, was runner up in last year’s RHS Young Designer of the Year Competition and earlier this year picked up a Bronze Flora award for his first garden at Chelsea Flower Show.

His gold-winning entry at Hampton Court, called Heathers in Harmony, was commissioned by the British Heather Growers Association.

Created for a family who require a low maintenance space in which to relax and entertain it is arranged over three levels, creating separate areas, all brought together by a wall made entirely out of heather. Dry-stone walling runs the length of the two lower levels, acting as a backdrop to the range of heathers that provide year-round flower and foliage colour which importantly attracts bees and other insects.

William, who switched to gardening after obtaining a BA Hons degree in furniture design, said he draws a lot of his inspiration from the countryside of Yorkshire.

“My goal two years ago was to one day exhibit my garden design at the big flower shows like Hampton Court Palace and Chelsea. I hadn’t thought it would come so soon.”

He said every show garden was nerve-wracking but was happy Heathers in Harmony looked “fantastic.”

John Hall, chairman of the BHGA said they decided to approach him after being impressed by his first award winning garden at Tatton Park in 2010 which earned a silver gilt and also featured heathers.