Through a Child's eyes - 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%2Fthrough-a-childs-eyes) [ 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%2Fthrough-a-childs-eyes) - [ 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/media/b4deabce-8383-4186-9f46-12aa8c7b624d/conversions/PXL_20260617_180315657-gallery.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ BBC Gardeners' World Live 2026 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/bbc-gardeners-world-live-2026) Beautiful Borders ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bbc-gardeners-world-live-silver/icon.webp) Silver Award Through a Child's eyes ======================== Designed by Heather Carstens At a glance Show BBC Gardeners' World Live Year 2026 Category Beautiful Borders Border Photo: GardensDB About this garden The story ----------- This design is inspired by my childhood memories of exploring and discovering the simple joys of being in a garden, moments that first connected me with nature. Returning to gardening as an adult, and building a garden from scratch with my son, rekindled that same sense of wonder and ultimately inspired my change in career. The design aims to show that you don't need a big budget to create something beautiful. With a little creativity, it's possible to build a garden that feels rich and welcoming, even on a shoestring. The design weaves together spaces for both child and adult, inviting playfulness, curiosity, and calm. There are stepping logs, through the border to give a child a sense of adventure. A mud pie making area, children's shoe kicked off in excitement and bug hunting pots scattered around. the central seating area immerses adults into the garden, creating a sense of calm and seclusion. A warm colour pallet has been used with simple inexpensive planting. The border shape has been created by maritime rope and the paths are simple self-binding gravel. The design aims to capture the magic, joy, and shared amazement that gardens can bring at every age. Award Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bbc-gardeners-world-live-silver/icon.webp) Silver Award BBC Gardeners World Live The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ HC Heather Carstens Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/heather-carstens) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/b4deabce-8383-4186-9f46-12aa8c7b624d/conversions/PXL_20260617_180315657-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/c8d66229-0799-4d24-8f0b-24c5107cae97/conversions/PXL_20260617_180323288-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/d410f1dc-2d81-4b4a-a57c-17ca5071c269/conversions/PXL_20260617_180319817-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/210856b8-58ea-4cbf-9f0c-bf3e1c6cba89/conversions/PXL_20260617_180326622-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/2f79d774-b5ed-404c-ac76-4e45d3489baf/conversions/PXL_20260617_180329350-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/27f3cd1c-6ebc-4029-afdd-be83e98d3972/conversions/PXL_20260617_180332490-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/edfef9e8-ad40-4e19-b5a3-3febc863b086/conversions/PXL_20260617_180343901-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/573a26d4-b29b-4341-8174-698de5439081/conversions/PXL_20260617_180309308-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/5dd9bd1e-3e55-47a2-a9a8-98990e6b6a31/conversions/PXL_20260617_180336964-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/e99540e4-d848-4840-a045-e346232fe3e1/conversions/image-gallery.webp) ![]() / Photo: Brought to life by Organisations --------------- ![](/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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