Sophie Sturgeon Awarded Silver-Gilt Medal at RHS Badminton Flower Show

Ground Control-sponsored garden helping inspire young girls to reconnect with nature

Sophie Sturgeon, Landscape Architect, has been awarded a prestigious Silver-Gilt Medal at the 2026 RHS Badminton Flower Show for her show garden, A Space for Her.

Exhibited within the RHS Young Designers category, A Space for Her was created to encourage young girls to reconnect with nature and find the confidence to step away from screens in a safe, restorative environment. The garden's flowing, curvilinear pathway guides visitors through a journey of discovery, creating opportunities for reflection, exploration and wellbeing.

Sophie sitting on cushioned outdoor seating beneath a wooden garden pergola surrounded by greenery.

©Lynne Taylor

The award recognises the garden's outstanding design and delivery, with judges commending its strong response to the brief, impactful user experience and thoughtful interpretation of the theme.

During the show, Sophie welcomed sponsors, suppliers and members of the public to the garden, sharing the inspiration behind the design, her creative process and the importance of creating spaces that support young people's connection with the natural world.

Award-Winning Design and Construction

The Silver-Gilt Medal, awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society, recognises high-quality garden design and construction. A Space for Her achieved an ‘Excellent’ rating for its impact and construction and then ‘Very Good’ in understanding of the brief, planting design and 3D design to name a few.

As a sponsor of the garden, Ground Control was proud to support the project and deliver the garden's construction, helping to bring Sophie's vision to life.

©Lynne Taylor

A Lasting Legacy

Following the show, reusable elements from A Space for Her have been donated to Trust Links, an independent Essex-based charity dedicated to improving mental health, wellbeing and the environment. The materials will be incorporated into the charity's Empowerment Garden, a community space that supports therapeutic gardening and wellbeing activities.

Reflecting on her success, Sophie said:

Receiving a Silver Gilt Medal is an incredible honour. I wanted A Space for Her to demonstrate how landscape design can create safe and welcoming environments where young girls can disconnect from technology, reconnect with nature, and build confidence outdoors. Sharing the story behind the garden with visitors and seeing the overwhelmingly positive response has been incredibly rewarding. Hearing people's kind words and learning how deeply the garden resonated with them has made the entire journey worthwhile. Alongside receiving the Silver Gilt Medal, those conversations and connections are what I am most proud of.