A brownfield inspired garden, “Buglife: Habitat Mosaic”, has been awarded a gold medal at this week’s RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse, as part of the Long Border category and Best in Show for the category.
The garden, sponsored by invertebrate conservation charity and brownfield champions, Buglife, has been designed by Brighton based, Sebastian Stall, to highlight the importance of brownfield habitat. Showcasing the often-overlooked, but incredibly beneficial ecological principles found in brownfield environments – spaces typically dismissed, yet rich in biodiversity.
Brownfields include any area of land which has been altered by human activity and then abandoned. These sites can be extremely varied, including anything from former industrial estates to quarries, spoil heaps to disused railway lines or landfill sites to disused airfields.
On receiving the award, garden designer, Sebastian Stall shared: “The border creates a micro mosaic habitat – layering resilient planting, recycled materials, and varied topography to reflect the rich complexity of brownfield ecology. It’s a powerful demonstration of how even small gardens can provide vital nesting, foraging, and sheltering opportunities for invertebrates—acting as miniature wildlife corridors. It’s been fantastic to work with Buglife and help raise awareness of the critical role brownfield habitats play in supporting biodiversity.”
In response to the announcement Buglife Director of Fundraising and Communication, Paul Hetherington shared: “We’re thrilled that Sebastian has received a well-deserved gold medal for Buglife: Habitat Mosaic, it’s a great result for Sebastian, our often overlooked brownfields and the wildlife that call them home. This garden is a great way to showcase how we can all play a role in habitat recovery, no matter how small a space we have to offer. From the specialist planting through to the use of recycled materials the design not only looks great but creates a perfect space for the small things that run the planet. A fantastic win for invertebrates this Bees Needs Week!”
“Habitat Mosaic” demonstrates that by adopting the principles of brownfield sites in our own gardens, we can enrich them to be more resilient, biodiverse and connected to the natural world. From sun-warmed rubble and areas of bare ground – perfect for nesting invertebrates – to shaded pockets beneath tree canopies and wild planting zones, the patchwork mosaic of habitats in this border supports an extraordinary variety of wildlife. Crushed brick, recycled concrete, sand and gentle shifts in topography all offer a rich tapestry of textures and microhabitats. Drought-tolerant, pollinator friendly planting flows throughout, while a sculptural digger bucket, repurposed as a water feature, adds visual impact.
This win, and the subsequent spotlight on the importance of brownfield habitats, couldn’t come at a more opportune time. Buglife and the charity’s supporters are currently calling on the Government’s environmental advisor to take urgent action and protect one of East England’s most threatened nature sites. Proposals to expand the Port of Tilbury, as part of a new project called Tilbury 3, could mean this unique brownfield habitat is lost forever.
The garden will remain in place until Sunday 20 July and can be visited as part of the RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse. If you would like to know more about the garden, how to create your own miniature brownfield habitat, or view the full list of key plants in the garden you can do so here.