The Rhythm of Rainwater by Anthony Purdy - RHS Sandringham Flower Show 2026 - 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-rhythm-of-rainwater) [ 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-rhythm-of-rainwater) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Follow [ gardensdb on Instagram (opens in a new tab)](https://www.instagram.com/gardensdb/) 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) [ gardensdb on Instagram (opens in a new tab)](https://www.instagram.com/gardensdb/) ![A sustainable Grow Forward Garden features a copper rainwater harvesting system directing water into a black collection drum, surrounded by lush green grasses and hostas.](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/1f757ad7-6214-4357-bfea-5f0ef5c60a83/conversions/PXL_20260722_123023031-gallery.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ RHS Sandringham Flower Show 2026 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/rhs-sandringham-flower-show-2026) Grow Forward Garden ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-gold-medal/icon.webp) Gold Medal The Rhythm of Rainwater ========================= Designed by Anthony Purdy At a glance Show RHS Sandringham Flower Show Year 2026 Category Grow Forward Garden Plant List Photo: GardensDB About this garden The story ----------- Inspired by the musicality of rainfall, seven aluminium dipping tanks store harvested rainwater at the heart of the garden. Two are interlinked by a narrow rill, allowing water to move softly between them, while droplets falling onto steel tongue drums create organic music. Hydrophones within the tanks reveal the subtle sounds created beneath the surface. The Environment Agency warns that England could face a daily water shortfall of up to 5 billion litres by 2055. The garden explores how using our own rainwater can help mitigate this challenge, moving rainwater harvesting beyond pure function to become a beautiful, central design feature. Beneath a Corten steel pergola, a sunken seating area sits within predominantly lush green planting, punctuated with accents of colour beneath a characterful pine and a gnarled pear tree. At the rear of the garden stands a bespoke artist's studio - a creative hub where the songwriter works surrounded by the landscape for inspiration. The garden is an invitation to reflect on climate change, creativity and water stewardship and has been informed by the work of [**Earth/Percent**](https://www.earthpercent.org/), the music industry's climate foundation. Awards Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-gold-medal/icon.webp) Gold Medal RHS - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-best-grow-forward-garden/icon.webp) Best Grow Forward Garden RHS - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-best-construction-award/icon.webp) Best Construction Award RHS The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/people/anthony-purdy/profile_photo.webp?v=d16dc1e4-a97e-45a6-a4d6-bb1d30ef5b66) Anthony Purdy Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/anthony-purdy) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/1f757ad7-6214-4357-bfea-5f0ef5c60a83/conversions/PXL_20260722_123023031-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/bbc26795-2cdb-4ced-a041-4ea4e3b2619b/conversions/PXL_20260722_120958254-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/3967d137-4009-4aa3-8f97-884297eaa664/conversions/PXL_20260722_121018133-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/bb456ff2-ab98-42b4-8c52-59cc13578a58/conversions/PXL_20260722_123000681-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/5fd8f835-aab7-46f3-a102-d807fafbe292/conversions/PXL_20260722_123006338-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/12152e72-a8c6-4e63-adf8-9b47e9f3a807/conversions/PXL_20260722_123007630-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/fbbdda8d-2d09-4f7f-8561-7cb0f8e46fb5/conversions/PXL_20260722_123013314-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/d3ae03c0-de0b-4f24-89c2-85e81b73f083/conversions/PXL_20260722_123011366-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/b9deeeb7-2ae4-44a7-83e1-c2f0bea0b40d/conversions/PXL_20260722_123016087-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/62bb8ccf-49cb-4373-9f5d-b32881d05dec/conversions/PXL_20260722_123029986-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/9a5411f2-e0d5-48c7-a8ef-ac30dabac60c/conversions/PXL_20260722_123034965-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/1b9b53f4-8c6d-4339-9501-088828bb8c62/conversions/PXL_20260722_123037168-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/c264450b-4487-4f34-8d76-bec2b568d1ec/conversions/PXL_20260722_120901252-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/f2318d53-3208-4ad9-b504-6aa4075ea20d/conversions/PXL_20260722_123042166-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/c39d1b23-f9cd-441e-a33c-e2d9c1e34510/conversions/rainwater_1-gallery.webp) ![]() / Hero image Set as hero Photo: Planting Plant list ------------ Click on a plant to enlarge or purchase. ### Key Plants 5 ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/c9fd49ad-a3a4-48d8-836a-0e32f1257832/conversions/alchemilla-mollis-thumbnail.webp) Alchemilla mollis ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/c31520ee-d8e0-45df-b6bc-e01c638c42ab/conversions/hosta-jurassic-park-thumbnail.webp) Hosta 'Jurassic Park' ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/6d7b0903-2131-40d3-9da6-48d30ff03762/conversions/pittosporum-tobira-nanum-thumbnail.webp) Pittosporum tobira 'Nanum' ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/da8fe2b2-d617-4f55-9f4a-39bb6e64f46f/conversions/tetrapanax-papyrifer-rex-thumbnail.webp) Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex' ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/59d18924-b133-4422-b790-803b80eee07e/conversions/utricularia-bisquamata-thumbnail.webp) Utricularia bisquamata ![]() Buy this plant → Brought to life by Organisations --------------- ### Landscaper 1 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/conway-landscapes/logo.webp) Conway Landscapes ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/conway-landscapes) ### Plant Providers 2 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/nurseries/palmstead/logo.webp?v=a693e808-7c90-47a7-862a-f0a03a45bc78) Palmstead Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries/palmstead-nurseries) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/nurseries/deepdale-trees/logo.webp) Deepdale Trees ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries/deepdale-trees) ### Sponsor 1 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/the-dipping-tank-company/logo.webp?v=34d9b562-cda3-4553-a694-fa73f83001d2) The Dipping Tank Company ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/the-dipping-tank-company) ![](/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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