The garden designer behind our RHS Malvern collaboration shares the story, the inspiration and what she hopes visitors take away.

Meet Lora of Urban Greenery

When garden designer Lora of Urban Greenery first told us about her vision for Pressed in Time: Nature's Memory, we knew immediately that this was something special.

Lora grew up surrounded by abundant gardens in Bulgaria, spent her twenties in the corporate world, and in 2020 followed her heart back to the garden - and hasn't looked back since. Her approach is rooted in a deep belief that outdoor spaces should work for everyone: for our mental health, for wildlife, for the wider environment.

For her show garden at RHS Malvern Spring Festival this May, Lora has created something that feels both personal and universal - a garden that tells the story of flower pressing from living bloom to finished artwork, with a giant Studio Wald flower press at its heart.

We sat down with her to find out more.

About Lora

Tell us a little about yourself and Urban Greenery. How did you come to garden design?
I'm a garden designer and gardener based near the sea in Sussex. Plants and nature have always been a huge part of my upbringing. I grew up in Bulgaria where my grandparents had beautiful, abundant gardens full of fruit, vegetables and flowers. Both my parents love gardening and have a deep knowledge of plants. I spent my twenties working in the digital corporate world and although I helped deliver some amazing work, my heart was always drawn back to the garden. In 2020 I finally embarked on my journey into horticulture and garden design, and I have never felt happier or more passionate about what I do.

What draws you to naturalistic and wildflower-led planting in your work?
Connection to nature is incredibly important to me and, as a designer, I want to work with it rather than against it. I see the garden as an ecosystem that needs to support everyone, from us and our mental health to wildlife and the wider environment. Most of us live surrounded by bricks and concrete, so if you are lucky enough to have some outdoor space, I want to make sure it benefits you as much as possible.

"I see the garden as an ecosystem that needs to support everyone -from us and our mental health to wildlife and the wider environment."

The garden concept

What was the original inspiration behind Pressed in Time: Nature's Memory?
I wanted to find a theme that brought together mental health and care for the environment. The art of flower pressing felt like the perfect fit as it invites us to slow down and create. I believe creating is an antidote to feelings like sadness, comparison and overwhelm. At the same time, not all creative practices are kind to the environment, so I wanted to champion flower pressing as a beautiful and sustainable craft.

How did the idea of flower pressing find its way into a show garden?
Flower pressing is a beautiful and sustainable art form that has been growing in popularity again. It carries a powerful message that nature is precious and worth preserving, which felt like a natural story to tell within a garden setting.

"Creating is an antidote to feelings like sadness, comparison and overwhelm."

The design

Walk us through the garden. What will visitors experience as they move through it?
The garden follows the journey of flower pressing. Visitors are first invited to appreciate the blooms in their natural, living state. A winding path then leads them to a giant flower press structure where the process is revealed. The final part of the garden becomes an art exhibition, showcasing the finished pressed pieces.

What role do the hanging resin decorations and the giant flower press play in the overall feel of the space?
The giant flower press structure was inspired by the beautiful presses created by Studio Wald here in the UK. It felt like the perfect way to bring the process to life and celebrate their work. The resin pieces help to carry that sense of preservation and transformation through the space.

The collaboration

How did the partnership with Studio Wald come about, and what made a giant flower press feel like the right centrepiece?
I have followed Studio Wald's journey for many years and remember buying some of their gorgeous stationery for my first flat in Brighton. When I decided to dedicate the show garden to flower pressing, they were the first people I thought of. A giant flower press felt like the most natural and striking way to anchor the space and tell the story.

How have you worked together through the design and making process?
We are actually quite far apart geographically, but thanks to technology we have been able to coordinate everything really smoothly. I shared my initial design with them, they came back with some great ideas, and we have been working closely together on all the finer details ever since.

"When I decided to dedicate the show garden to flower pressing, Studio Wald were the first people I thought of."

The bigger picture

What do you hope people take away when they walk through the garden?
I hope people feel inspired to try flower pressing for themselves. It is surprisingly addictive in the best way, and it encourages you to slow down and notice the beauty in flowers more closely. It is also a lovely way to give cut flowers a second life before they fade.

What does showing at RHS Malvern mean to you as a designer, and is this the start of more collaborations with Studio Wald?
Exhibiting at an RHS show is a real dream. It gives me the opportunity to be highly creative while also holding me to a strong standard when it comes to sustainability. I would love for this to be the beginning of more collaborations, as Studio Wald represents exactly the kind of thoughtful, values-driven business I want to work with and support.

"Studio Wald represents exactly the kind of thoughtful, values-driven business I want to work with and support."

Come and see the garden

Come and see the garden

Pressed in Time: Nature's Memory is at RHS Malvern Spring Festival from 7- 10 May 2026. We'll be there with our products -come and find us.

Follow Lora at @_urbangreenery_ and Studio Wald at @studio_wald for updates all the way to show day.