Got a great idea for a gorgeous garden? Why not bring your design to life at this summer’s BBC Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC Birmingham (18-21 June). Applications for the 2026 Beautiful Borders competition at the BBC Gardeners’ World flagship event close on 23 January 2026.

Whether you’re an experienced garden designer or amateur gardener, a student or school gardening club, or a charity or community group, BBC Gardeners’ World events want to hear from you. The Beautiful Borders are an exciting opportunity to share your talents and skills, imagination and love of plants with tens of thousands of gardening fans. Measuring just 9m2, the Beautiful Borders are miniature wonders, brimming with fresh inspiration for small gardens.

The creative theme for this year’s Beautiful Borders competition is ‘Once Upon a Time’, inviting entrants to show how even the smallest garden space can become a storybook. Visitors will be transported into a world where imagination blooms and every detail tells a tale. Whether inspired by a special memory, a journey towards health and wellbeing, a personal achievement, dream or meaningful moment, creating a Beautiful Border is a great opportunity to tell a story through plants, colour and design. It’s personal stories and lived experiences that the BBC Gardeners’ World events team are looking for rather than film or book interpretations. Limited bursaries of £250 are available for plants and props.

BBC Gardeners’ World events’ friendly, experienced horticultural team supports entrants every step of the way, from application through build and to final reveal. Borders are assessed on site by expert assessment panels, with medals, awards and constructive feedback for every entrant. The top awards are Best Beautiful Border, Best Interpretation of the Theme, and Best BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Subscriber Border, with a People’s Choice award for visitors’ favourite design.

Winner of the ‘best in show’ Beautiful Border and Platinum award at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2025 was North Yorkshire garden designer Anita Rose (pictured) for The One to Three Border, designed to foster connections between oneself, others and nature. Anita’s Border featured different seating scenarios for reflection and quiet contemplation.

Entries are open at bbcgardenersworldlive.com, closing on 23 January 2026.

Tickets for BBC Gardeners’ World Live are on sale now. Event highlights include inspiring Beautiful Borders and show gardens, spectacular floral displays, plant and garden shopping, theatres and stages, and BBC Gardeners’ World TV presenters, Magazine editors and plant experts. There are garden tours and talks, workshops and demonstrations, and great food, drink and live entertainment. Buy here: bbcgardenersworldlive.com