The garden design aims to blur the divide between wild and tamed with naturalistic planting, native species and a range of wildlife habitats included such as shrubs, wildflower areas, a sand bed for mining bees, dead hedge and wildlife pond.  

The designers, Frantisek Zika and Jenny Rafferty, are also passionate about sustainable garden design and the materials they are using at Malvern will be natural, sustainable or recycled. Other elements within the garden such as the water feature and planting of drought-resistant plants, respond to the need for gardens to maintain climate resilience. 

Jenny and Frantisek describe their ethos thus: 

“In the current climate of increased awareness regarding the need for sustainability and the devastating environmental loss, the public is still being encouraged to over-pave their gardens, not realising the power their gardens can have to combat these issues - even fake plastic lawns are becoming fashionable.  

“We want to demonstrate that natural garden design is the right solution for any household and, done sensitively, gives a shared space for wildlife and people. It is widely known that nature and horticulture can be therapeutic and has many benefits for health and wellbeing. By reconnecting to the wider landscape and ecosystem, we can find a place for ourselves, grounded in nature and nurtured by it. We truly believe that whether you live rurally or in an urban environment, making space for nature and connecting our green spaces brings huge benefits to the individuals and communities alike.” 

Frances Weeks, Head of Nature Action at Herefordshire Wildlife Trust commented: 

“We were absolutely delighted when Jenny and Frantisek approached us to be the charity partner for their garden at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival this year. Their design showcases so many brilliant ideas for making a garden as nature-friendly and sustainable as possible – there will be something every visitor will be inspired by and that they could take away and incorporate into their own garden or community green space. 

“Gardens have the potential to play a very real part in nature’s recovery. Combined, residential gardens make up approximately 520 thousand hectares of urban areas in Great Britain1 so this presents a huge opportunity to create wonderful wildlife corridors through our towns and cities. Moreover, gardens and community green spaces are places where people and nature can coexist and places where we can take action and do something practical and immediate to recover and encourage biodiversity. This might be putting in a small pond, planting fruiting shrubs and trees or adding diversity of herbs and flowers to our lawns.”