Volunteers from Friends of Wollescote Park are growing hundreds of wildflowers as they prepare to make their debut at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2026.
The Stourbridge voluntary group is set to inspire thousands of visitors with a stunning “Beautiful Border” display at the annual gardening spectacular, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 18–21 June.
A long-standing favourite feature of the show, the Beautiful Borders are compact show gardens designed to offer creative ideas for small gardens and challenging spaces.
This year’s theme, “Once Upon a Time”, encourages designers to tell fascinating stories through plants and garden design. The Friends of Wollescote Park entry, titled Composition in the Park, is a wildlife garden celebrating the life and achievements of overlooked local composer Dorothy Howell, who once lived within the grounds of Wollescote Park.
In 1919, Howell rose to national prominence when her orchestral work Lamia received rapturous applause at the London Proms, attracting widespread media attention and bringing reporters to her family home at Wollescote House.
Organisers of the project say the garden is an opportunity to recognise Howell’s important contribution to British music and celebrate her legacy within the local community.
Designer and Chair Julia Marks said: “To be at Gardeners’ World Live this year is a massive achievement for our group. The volunteers are working incredibly hard, growing plants at home, promoting the project and helping create the designs.
"We really want to do our community proud with this entry and hopefully we might even meet Monty Don!
“We have uncovered a wonderful story from our local history. Dorothy Howell was a remarkable musical talent whose work was performed several times at the Proms and even at Buckingham Palace.
We believe her achievements deserve far greater recognition.”
The project has received funding support from the Community Forum, Ernest Stevens Trust and the West Midlands Combined Authority. After the show, the garden will be rebuilt permanently at Wollescote Park and will include a commemorative bench, information board and an application for a Blue Plaque honouring Dorothy Howell.
Julia said the project’s impact reaches far beyond gardening. She added: “This is not just about creating a garden, it is about creating volunteering opportunities, teaching young people about music and the arts, celebrating our social history and bringing pride to the local community.”
Lucy Ashworth, Event Director at Immediate Live, organisers of BBC Gardeners’ World Live, said: “Visitors flock to the Beautiful Borders for ideas and inspiration to take home, whether it’s a clever design feature, an eye-catching colour palette or an exciting new plant.
“It takes hard work, time and commitment to bring a Beautiful Border to life, and we love seeing creators sharing the stories behind their designs with visitors.”
Tickets for BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2026 are on sale now at BBC Gardeners’ World Live. The event will feature show gardens, a floral marquee, live talks and demonstrations from BBC Gardeners’ World presenters and gardening experts, as well as workshops, shopping, food, entertainment and family activities.
All tickets also include entry to the Good Food Show Summer, featuring celebrity chefs including James Martin, Si King and Lisa Faulkner.
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