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  ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/7235da25-9eee-47a8-bfa3-ac02e1ccbc62/conversions/habitat-garden-gallery.webp)

  [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ RHS Sandringham Flower Show 2026 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/rhs-sandringham-flower-show-2026)

  Long Borders

 The Habitat Garden
====================

 Designed by Jonathan Mitchell, Katy Haywood Smith

 At a glance

  Show RHS Sandringham Flower Show

 Year 2026

 Category Long Borders

   Border

  About this garden

 The story
-----------

The Habitat Garden embraces current environmental and biodiversity challenges through an approach to garden creation that is both beautiful and beneficial. To reduce costs and maintenance needs, the space is planted as a naturalistic meadow that can be established from seed. A dynamic mix of native and non-native species, from *Centaurea nigra* to *Oenothera biennis*, creates a rich plant community that benefits wildlife, providing nectar for pollinators and food sources for insects and birds.

A standing dead tree and a deadwood corridor form the structural backbone. Not only is garden waste reused creatively, but this framework also provides habitat and vertical interest, offering a sense of natural permanence softened by the surrounding planting. By using sand, the designer improves resilience to climate change while reducing the need for mulch, mains water and pesticides.

  The people behind it

 Designers
-----------

- [ JM

    Jonathan Mitchell

    Designer

     ](https://gardensdb.com/people/jonathan-mitchell)
- [ KH

    Katy Haywood Smith

    Designer

     ](https://gardensdb.com/people/katy-haywood-smith)

  Photography

 Gallery
---------

  ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/7235da25-9eee-47a8-bfa3-ac02e1ccbc62/conversions/habitat-garden-gallery.webp)

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