We Took on the RHS Malvern Spring Show… and Came Back with Silver (Next Time, It’s Gold)

History was made at this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival—for the first time ever, indoor show gardens were invited to the stage. And guess who entered? That’s right. Me, The Bearded Plantaholic, alongside my jungle brother Moand the legendary craft crew at Cotswold Oak Products.

Together, we created a space like no other:

The Sensory Sanctuary – a living, breathing, immersive indoor jungle designed to calm your nerves, tingle your senses, and make you forget you’re in the middle of Worcestershire.

What Is the Sensory Sanctuary?

The concept was born in a sketchpad and a wild idea over a coffee—something that combined our love for plants, people, and peace.

We imagined a space that whispered, “you’re safe here.”

A place where textures, scents, sounds, and greenery collide in a beautiful, chaotic harmony. Not just a garden—an experience.

Think natural wood, flowing foliage, soft lighting, earthy scents, mossy textures, and a layout that made people feel. We built it to reconnect people with nature—and maybe even with themselves.

And then we did what any mad plant-loving visionaries would do:

We built the whole damn thing in just 7 days.

From Dream to Flat-Pack Jungle

Yes, you read that right. We dreamt it, we built it, and then we disassembled the entire structure, flat-packed it like jungle-loving IKEA engineers, and trucked it down to the Malvern Showground.

We installed it with love, sweat, sawdust, and soil.

We didn’t sleep much. We didn’t breathe much. But we stood back and said:

“Damn, we did that.”

We Came, We Saw, We Conquered (Kind of)

We walked away with a Silver Medal from the RHS.

That’s right—a medal at the Royal Horticultural Society’s official spring show. Not bad for two lads with a passion and a jungle dream.

Now, I won’t lie—your boy was a bit salty for a few days. We poured our hearts into that build, and gold was definitely in the dreamscape. But the truth is, I’m proud. Deeply proud. We made something magical.

And that silver? That’s just fuel for the fire. We’ll be back. And we’re coming for the gold.

Lights, Camera, Chlorophyll

As if the show garden wasn’t enough, we were also filmed for BBC Gardeners’ World—yes, the real deal.

Chatting plants and purpose with the legend himself, Adam Frost, in our jungle sanctuary? Surreal.

I was honestly buzzing.

To top it all off, I got to hang with some good friends in the plant game—Ben from Worcester Terrariums, Sam Bentley, and a whole bunch of other brilliant green-fingered humans. It felt like a beautiful little reunion of weird plant people, and I loved every second.

Thank You to Every Single One of You

To the hundreds of people who visited our indoor garden, who came to our talks, who smiled, cried, touched the moss walls, and told us it moved you—thank you from the bottom of my heart. You made every moment worth it.

To the RHS for opening the door to indoor show gardens—thank you for recognising the future of horticulture is just as much houseplants and healing spaces as it is flower borders.

What’s Next?

The jungle doesn’t stop here.

We’re back at The Bearded Plantaholic HQ in Malvern, Worcestershire, continuing to bring you the UK’s most unique houseplant collection—from rare exotics to resilient statement plants that turn homes into sanctuaries.

This experience lit a new fire. Bigger visions. Wilder gardens.

And yes… a shiny gold medal, next time.

Come Visit Us:

We’re not just at the shows—we’re in your neighbourhood.

📍 Malvern, Worcestershire, UK

🛒 Shop online at thebeardedplantaholic.com

📬 Nationwide UK delivery | Events | Loyalty Points | Workshops

Let’s grow something extraordinary.

One love always,

Jonny – The Bearded Plantaholic 🌿