CORRINGHAM-based garden designer James Fenneberg is looking for sponsors to help him create a show garden at the RHS Hampton Court flower in July 2025

After losing his mum during the covid pandemic and taking up gardening, James changed careers to work for a garden designer and is now aiming to become one himself.

Having a background in the arts James put forward a design for the the Hampton Court flower show and was accepted in their new 'Gardens of Curiosity ' category which includes a grant but he needs to raise money through sponsorship to fund the garden fully.

James says: "A lot of show gardens are actually self-funded but if you dont have the means, and show gardens can be expensive to make, then you don't get to take part unless you find a sponsor which is proving to be very hard especially if you are new to the industry. 

"But sponsorship is a great way for businesses or individuals to get involved with an RHS show and use it for PR, marketing events and free tickets but also to support people like me and help promote gardening.

Last year James took part in BBC Gardener's World Live in Birmingham and funded his own small 'Beautiful Border', which won a platinum award and best interpretation of the theme trophy.

James created 'Keep Off the Grass', a border designed to be, in his words, "a space of dangerous beauty", featuring spiky Agave plants, volcanic black sand and rock to attract ground nesting wasps and bees, and contrasting planting.

In his submission to Gardner's World, James said: "I studied fine art and scenic painting, so as a relative newcomer to gardening, I draw upon my experience with colour and shape as the basis for my designs.

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"I'm inspired by the fractal shapes, growth patterns and jewel like aesthetics in the formation of Agave plants."

For more information contact James at [email protected] or on his instagram @jamesfenneberg,