Writtle College have been awarded a silver gilt medal at the Chelsea Show in the Lifelong Learning section. 

The college, in association with Essex County Council, created a corner of a traditional Essex flower garden as the basis of an interpretation of the brief provided by the Royal Horticultural Society, 'Climate change and its effects on gardens and gardeners'.

Using traditional materials, such as black feather edged timber, rustic red brick and local flint, the design gave the impression of a timeless cottage style flower garden.

The garden has a central water feature with a retractable cover to illustrate how the harvesting, storage and re-use of water can be integrated in to a decorative setting.

The planting was the most important indicator of climate change, and rather than go for a dry garden or xeriscape approach the team wanted to reflect a more floriferous and lush feel that is synonymous to a traditional cottage garden.

Historically significant plants such as the red common field poppy and blue cornflower were planted alongside tender and semi tender perennials and shrubs such as ornamental Salvia spp.

The design showed how gardens and gardeners may be required to adjust their cultivation and soil management techniques to adapt to the warmer winters, drier summers and unpredictable rainfall.