Show Garden

Anyone can enter, whether amateur or professional.

Full size plots will be 25 sqm, 5m x 5m maximum, but as a minimum, must be 5.76 sqm, at 2.4m x 2.4m.

Pallet gardens will be a minimum size of 1.0 sqm, at 1.0m x 1.0m and a maximum size of 1.2 sqm, at 1.2m x 1.0m, the same footprint as a standard pallet.

A physical plot will be allocated, with boundaries marked in chalk, on a tarmac surface which is almost flat, with a very slight gradient. No ground excavation is possible. Any outer framework must be provided by the designer. We will endeavour to have separation between each garden, but this will be dictated by the final number of entries. Ideally gardens will be self-contained, but any requirements such as power, should be detailed in your application.

All gardens should be designed to be viewable from three sides but may only be viewed from the front. Again, this is subject to the number of gardens on show. 

For 2025, there will be no theme given. This gives the designer considerable freedom and will help avoid designs being very similar to each other. 

The garden can feature all manner of plants, herbs, flowers, vegetables, pots, fence panels, stone, gravel, grass, furniture, water features, and so on. New or recycled / upcycled. Good taste is encouraged.

Anything the organisers consider to be in poor taste or presenting a danger to anyone. No members of the public can have access onto any show garden, on health and safety grounds. 

Artificial grass and artificial plants are not permitted to be a part of your Show Garden.

Adjacent to each display garden, there will be an A3 sized notice supplied by the event organisers to ensure consistency. This will provide details of the designer including their inspiration for the design and their contact details, any sponsors or partners involved and an approximate cost to produce the garden.

Designers are requested to present on one A3 page, a few paragraphs (500 words max) covering the inspiration that led to their design and a sketch plan detailing the layout and planting scheme and an approximate cost estimate. Contact details must be provided for the applicant, as well as the name of your garden. Entry is free, however a £500 commitment deposit must be paid when the organisers approve your design and invite you to create your show garden. Pallet gardens do not require a deposit to be paid. The deposit will be repaid in full after your show garden has been broken-down and removed from site. Key Dates:

Gardens must be cleared fully from site by 4.00 PM on 26th May 2025. Site to be left as found. 

Design applications to be submitted by email to events@onrank.co.uk by midnight on the evening of 20th November 2024

Successful applicants may visit the site at Hamilton Park Racecourse on the 27th November 2024 for a Q&A session 

Site access for construction to begin from Saturday 17th May 2025

Construction must be complete by 4.00 PM on the 22nd May 2025

Agreement to sell to the public, of any part of your show garden is acceptable, but must not be removed before 4.00 PM on the 25^th May 2025 

There will be three prize categories;

1. Scottish Garden Festival “Show Garden of 2025”, Gold, Silver and Bronze as voted by the experienced judging panel.

2. Scottish Garden Festival “Public Vote Show Garden of 2025”, Gold. Silver and Bronze as voted by the visiting public.

3. Scottish Garden Festival “Pallet Garden of 2025”, Gold, Silver and Bronze, as voted by the experienced judging panel. 

Judges will make their decisions based on layout and structure, general composition of all the elements and how they work together to make the judges smile. Plants, their arrangement, their condition and ability to co-exist will also be a factor.