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Celebrated garden designer Sarah Eberle has claimed the highest honor at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show with a breathtaking garden centered around a giant sleeping woman sculpted from a fallen tree.
The award-winning garden, created for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, captivated judges and visitors alike with its peaceful atmosphere, wildflowers, soft grasses, and reflective pools of water. The massive wooden sculpture symbolized Mother Nature and highlighted the importance of protecting green spaces on the outskirts of towns and cities.
At 71 years old, Eberle has now become the most decorated designer in Royal Horticultural Society history. She is also one of only three women in more than 100 years to win the show’s prestigious Best in Show award as a solo designer.
Speaking after her victory, Eberle said the project held deep personal meaning for her because of her lifelong connection to the countryside. She explained that the garden reflects the same values championed by the Campaign to Protect Rural England — preserving natural spaces and helping people reconnect with nature.
Judges praised the garden’s emotional impact and imaginative design. Chris Bailes, chair of the judging panel, described the space as “mesmerising,” highlighting how ordinary materials were transformed into striking artistic features. One of the most talked-about elements was a recycled concrete agricultural drain turned into a tranquil water feature covered with duckweed.
The win has also reignited discussions about gender imbalance in garden design at Chelsea. Writer Clare Coulson expressed disappointment over the small number of female designers featured in the main show gardens this year. She noted that only two of the nine major gardens were designed by women.
Designer Elizabeth Tyler also questioned why a garden dedicated to raising awareness about women’s cancers was designed by a male designer. The garden, called Silent No More, was created by Darren Hawkes and focuses on encouraging open conversations around gynecological health.
Award-winning designer Sam Proctor pointed out that the demanding nature of creating Chelsea gardens can make it difficult for many women balancing family and caregiving responsibilities.
Throughout her five-decade career, Eberle has often spoken about the challenges women face in the industry. She previously suggested that many women avoid the intense pressures of Chelsea because maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important.
This latest triumph brings Eberle’s total to 14 RHS Chelsea gold medals and four Best in Category victories — more than any other designer in the show’s history.
Other major winners this year included designers Joe Carey and Laura Carey for Best Small Show Garden with “Flourish in the City,” while Ashleigh Aylett won Best All About Plants Garden for the Woodland Trust’s “Forgotten Forests Garden.”
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