Olivia Stewart is Announced as a Finalist in the RHS Designer of the Year Competition
Olivia Stewart, from Oxford, has
just been announced as one of three finalists in the prestigious RHS Young Designer
of the Year competition. Olivia, who is a graduate of the Oxford College of Garden
Design, will be designing a show garden at RHS Show Tatton Park, to be held on 21-25
June. Olivia will receive a grant of £12,000 to create her garden, provided by the
North West Regional Development Agency, together with the RHS. The three finalists’
gardens will be judged by RHS judges at the Show and the winner will be announced
as the first RHS Young Designer of the Year in July.
The initial inspiration for Olivia’s design for the Show stems from a recent camping
trip to the Lake District, where the awe-inspiring landscape had a profound impact
on her. Olivia credits both the stunning natural environment and the craftsmanship
involved in the local stonework as key sources for inspiration. Olivia says: “I’m
ecstatic to be in the final. It’s a wonderful opportunity but also very daunting.”
Olivia graduated from the Oxford College of Garden Design last year where she studied
for a post graduate level course in Residential Landscape Architecture. Olivia only
realised her passion and flair for gardening in her 20s, but she soon forged a career
maintaining all manner of gardens in all kinds of conditions, from private city
and country gardens of all sizes, as well as woodland conservation. Olivia now runs
Olivia Stewart Landscape Design www.oliviastewartdesign.com
Duncan Heather, Principal of the Oxford College of Garden Design says: “We are extremely
proud of Olivia’s achievement as we aim to produce the country's top garden designers
and feel that their training gives them the very best head start to their new careers.”
Oxford College of Garden Design:
Set up by Duncan Heather in 1992, the Oxford College of Garden Design has attracted
students from around the world. Previous award winning students include Sarah Price
who has been chosen to design the centerpiece garden at the next Olympics. Several
students have been placed with award winning designers such as Christopher Bradley-Hole,
Anthony Paul, Charlotte Rowe and Joe Swift to name a few. For further information
visit: www.garden-design-courses.co.uk
or telephone: 01491 628950
Duncan Heather:
Duncan Heather is one of Europe’s foremost garden designers. Duncan was trained
by Britain’s best-loved octogenarian designer and garden writer, John Brookes OBE,
whom many regard as one of the world’s top garden designers of the 20th Century.
In a career now spanning over 20 years, Duncan has won five gold medals, one silver,
one bronze and three awards for innovative design.