The Hierarchy of Plants - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fthe-hierarchy-of-plants) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fthe-hierarchy-of-plants) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](https://gardensdb.com/help) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/gardens/the-hierarchy-of-plants/primary_image.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2025 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/rhs-malvern-spring-festival-2025) Show Garden ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-silver-gilt-medal/icon.webp) Silver Gilt Medal The Hierarchy of Plants ========================= Designed by Kate Mason At a glance Show RHS Malvern Spring Festival Year 2025 Category Show Garden Large Show Garden Photo: RHS Malvern About this garden The story ----------- The garden is inspired by the basic need to realise one's full potential and becoming everything that you can be, as suggested by Mazlow’s hierarchy of needs. Often presented as a pyramid, the philosophy categorises our five essential needs: physiological (food, water and shelter), safety, social (belonging), esteem and self-actualisation (creativity, achievement). ​ The garden is a tiered, tropical style garden infused with a variety of cottage garden plants interspersed with lush foliage and textural plants. This garden is designed to educate people on how to overwinter tender and tropical plants. Everything planted on the ground level can be overwintered outside, everything planted in the raised beds will need overwintering frost-free. Hidden around the garden is a treasure hunt of ten tiny watering cans, to encourage children to engage with gardening. There is creative use of upcycled sculptures and water feature with a seating area, perfect for a tropical cocktail on a warm summer evening. The garden build is simple, with the hard landscaping being easily replicated in any domestic garden. Awards Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-silver-gilt-medal/icon.webp) Silver Gilt Medal RHS - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-peoples-choice-best-show-garden/icon.webp) People's Choice Best Show Garden RHS The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ KM Kate Mason Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/kate-mason) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/9b317d56-291a-4cc5-be77-3fec09bed5bc/conversions/the-hierachy-of-plants-1-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/3bfa401d-8e10-4ecb-969e-c79dac43ba12/conversions/the-hierarchy-of-plants-4-1088x612-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/6e597174-acb1-415e-adf9-db749991b3ae/conversions/the-hierarchy-of-plants-3-1088x612-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/4ee1a7fb-a304-4b2b-94d7-480c1ead443a/conversions/render-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/fd078a68-b571-4bfa-92d4-d3019db8c4cd/conversions/the-hierarchy-of-plants-5-1088x612-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/f132c448-10f2-468a-bfc8-5a7b7427abc9/conversions/the-hierarchy-of-plants-2-1088x612-gallery.webp) ![]() / Photo: ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. 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