Pressed In Time: Nature’s Memory

A calm, contemplative RHS show garden that takes the visitor on a journey showcasing the beauty of flowers in both their living and preserved state – inspired by the art of flowering pressing.

Concept board

The garden

A gently winding gravel path guides visitors through soft, textured planting, echoing the layered beauty found in pressed botanical art. At its heart sits a giant flower press structure made from reclaimed materials, celebrating the act of preserving blooms and the emotional meaning they hold. Beyond it, a quiet reflective space showcases an installation of hand pressed flowers, inviting visitors to slow down, reconnect with nature and appreciate the fleeting beauty of seasonal plants. 

The design is inspired directly by the tradition of flower pressing and the way plants capture personal memories, stories and moments in time. Both the designer and Studio Wald share a deep interest in how nature can hold emotional meaning. This garden translates that idea into a sensory landscape where visitors can experience flowers in their living state before encountering them preserved as art. The narrative encourages mindfulness, calm and connection with the natural world, reminding us that every bloom has value and that beauty is worth noticing and protecting.  

Planting 

The planting is light, airy, and textured, designed to create a sense of calm movement and gentle immersion. Grasses and perennials form layered compositions that celebrate the vibrancy of late spring blooms.

  • Allium Hollandicum
  • Anemanthele lessoniana
  • Anemone sylvestris
  • Anthriscus sylvestris
  • Aquilegia Vulgaris
  • Astrantia 'Buckland'
  • Athyrium filix-femina
  • Calamagrostis acut. 'Karl Foerster'
  • Campanula portenschlagiana
  • Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'
  • Carex osh. 'Evergreen'
  • Carex osh. Everest
  • Carex test. Prairie Fire
  • Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum'
  • Delphinium (P) 'Astolat'
  • Dryopteris filix mas
  • Dryopteris wallichiana
  • Epimedium grand. Lilafee
  • Erigeron karvinskianus
  • Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve'
  • Erysimum 'Erysistible™ Fire'
  • Erysimum 'Red Jep'
  • Geranium 'Brookside'
  • Geum 'Scarlet Tempest'
  • Geum 'Totally Tangerine'
  • Hakonechloa macra
  • Leucanthemum vulgare
  • Lomandra long.White Sands
  • Lomandra White sands
  • Luzula Nivea
  • Nepeta × faassenii 'Purrsian Blue'
  • Papaver nud. 'Gartenzwerg'
  • Papaver or. 'Beauty of Livermere'
  • Pimpinella major
  • Polystichum polyblepharum
  • Polystichum setiferum
  • Salvia pratensis
  • Silene dioica
  • Stipa tenuissima
  • Thalictrum delavayi
  • Tiarella 'Sugar & Spice'
  • Trollius chinensis 'Golden Queen'
  • Veronica spic. 'Royal Candles'

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Elements:

Trees - 

Elaeagnus umbellata. Sourced from New Wood Trees, a nursery located in the Devon countryside. They specialise in multistem field grown trees.


Sculptures -

Handmade in Brighton by a mother-daughter duo Tina and Millie from Glowing Gardens 


Hanging decorations

Handmade by the designer Lora and Studio Wald, they use Reslin, a biodegradable product made from linseed oil and bio-based epoxy resin.



Gravel

Supplied by All Green  based in Somerset 

Edging

Supplied by Ultimate One Online 

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The designer – Lora Peneva

Lora Peneva is a garden designer, gardener and founder of Urban Greenery, based near the coast in West Sussex. She holds a Garden Design Diploma from KLC School of Design, along with extensive training in horticulture and practical gardening. Her approach blends sensory, nature inspired design with a professional background in project management, bringing clarity, structure and care to every project. Lora’s work centres on wellbeing, planting design and the belief that gardens should be spaces that nurture both people and the environment.  

For Lora, designing a show garden offers creative freedom and the chance to share meaningful ideas on a public stage. It provides an opportunity to express her passion for nature, sustainability and emotional connection through plants, while raising awareness of topics close to her heart.

The sponsor – Studio Wald

Studio Wald is an independent, Leeds-based design studio founded by husband-and-wife duo Jakob and Freya, who met while studying 3D design. Established in 2017, the studio creates a distinctive range of botanically inspired products—including flower presses, paper goods, prints, and homeware—rooted in a love of nature, craft, and nostalgia. Their work is characterised by thoughtful, functional design and a strong commitment to sustainability, with products made in England using recycled or responsibly sourced materials. What began as a small, hands-on venture has grown into a collaborative team of makers, with their collections now stocked by independent shops as well as institutions such as Kew Gardens and the V&A.

Sustainability

Sustainability is at the heart of Pressed in Time. The giant flower‑press structure is built from reclaimed materials and no concrete is used anywhere in the garden. Decorative pressed flower elements are handcrafted using 100% biodegradable resin, reflecting low impact making and a commitment to environmentally responsible craft. The garden is heavily planted with minimal hard landscaping and all materials are sourced from UK based suppliers. After the show, the garden will be relocated to Brooklands Park in Worthing, ensuring long term benefit, biodiversity support and educational value. The planting scheme prioritises drought tolerant species, resilient structure and permeable surfaces to promote sustainable water management.