Cornwall Horticulturalist Named Finalist in National Garden Design Awards

A horticulturalist at CHAOS Farm has been named as a finalist in one of the UK’s leading national garden and landscape design awards.

Sally Robinson has been recognised in the Student Category of the Society of Garden Landscape Design Awards, one of the sector’s top professional accolades.

Award recognition rooted in Cornwall

A graduate of the BSc Garden and Landscape Design programme at Cornwall College University Centre, based at the Eden Project, it is Sally’s honours project that has formed the basis of her finalist submission.

The project, titled Nurture, is a conceptual landscaped fertility clinic planned for rural north Cornwall. The design brings together planting, water and carefully planned spaces to create a calm and supportive setting.

“I feel very proud to have been nominated,” said Sally. “I spent a long time working on my honours project and felt very passionate about it, so it’s nice to get some recognition for that. It feels really exciting and I’m grateful for everyone’s support.

“It’s the projects where there are opportunities to improve biodiversity or to create situations where people can really get the most out of being outdoors that inspire me the most.

“I wanted to create a garden where everything within it would allow for a more relaxed experience from the moment that people arrive. Having spaces within the garden set up for activities such as yoga and meditation can create a less stressful environment.

“There were some studies that showed when people took part in a 12-week programme, with activities like yoga and meditation, they had double the amount of success.”

Design focused on wellbeing and nature

At the centre of the scheme is a reflective pool and arched structure, using water and form as symbolic references to fertility, optimism and new beginnings.

Woodland planting, gentle pathways and quiet activity spaces are designed to support reflection, movement and outdoor wellbeing, while also increasing the site’s ecological value.

Alongside her award success, Sally has also been helping to shape new garden projects across several CHAOS sites, including recent designs for a sensory garden and a wildlife pond.

This work sits alongside her day-to-day role propagating and tending vegetables in a market garden, as well as helping to co-ordinate volunteer activities that support people benefitting from horticultural therapy.

Praise from CHAOS Farm

“We’re super stoked to have Sally going up to the awards in London based on all the studies she’s done over the past few years,” said Rich Hardy, Head Grower at CHAOS Farm. “It’s really nice to see time and energy put into studying and learning in Cornwall being rewarded. To see her go off to these incredible awards in this sector is just the cherry on top of the cake for us.

“These awards really are the Oscars of the sector. All the big names in garden design and landscape architecture will be there, so Sally’s going to have some great opportunities to talk about her work, her project and what she’s doing for us at CHAOS.

“This sector is growing. Since the pandemic, more people have discovered what their gardens can do for their physical and mental health.

“It’s natural that we’re now seeing more projects in larger public spaces, in the NHS, care homes and hospices, where nature can play a part in recovery, and CHAOS is really well placed to pioneer these kinds of projects in Cornwall.”

Awards ceremony details

The Society of Garden Landscape Design Awards celebrate excellence across the profession, with student categories recognising emerging designers whose work demonstrates originality, quality and social relevance.

Judging is overseen by a panel chaired by Richard Sneesby, formerly leader of the Garden Design degree at Falmouth University. Winners will be announced during a ceremony at The Landmark London on Friday, 6 February, 2026.

More information about the awards can be found on the Society of Garden Landscape Design website.