‘Donkeys Matter’ garden wins ‘People’s Choice Award’ at Chelsea!

International animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary is proud to win the sought-after ‘BBC RHS People’s Choice Award’ in the Artisan Garden category at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. 

The People’s Choice award is often regarded as the one that means the most, as it demonstrates the personal choice made by members of the public. The award follows on from the silver medal awarded by the judging panel on Tuesday. 

The ‘Donkeys Matter’ garden marks The Donkey Sanctuary’s 50th anniversary and is designed to showcase the charity’s international work. Using water as its central theme, the garden demonstrates how owning a donkey means access to clean, fresh water for some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities in the world.

Mike Baker, CEO of The Donkey Sanctuary, says: “What incredible news to end a fantastic week! Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for our garden. This is a win not only for us, but for hard-working donkeys around the world. To our garden designers, Annie and Christina, thank you for showcasing why Donkeys Matter in such a beautiful way.”

A key garden design feature is a path traversing from bottom left to top right representing the many journeys donkeys carry out on behalf of communities to support their livelihoods. The garden also includes a shelter and a well with a dripping bucket.

In places like Namibia, Lamu, Somaliland and Ethiopia, donkeys are used to collect water for entire communities. A donkey will often collect 40 – 60 litres of water at one time. The simple act of a donkey carrying water reduces the time required to access it, freeing children to get an education and women to be economically active.

The planting of the ‘Donkeys Matter’ garden suggests the dry Mediterranean climate, including Mediterranean Sea Holly (Eryngium bourgatii), Iris ‘Langport Wren’ and Lavender ‘Hidcote’ (Lavandula angustifolia). The colour palette is claret, purple and silver, with bright, vibrant flowers bringing beauty and colour to the garden’s harsh surroundings. The trees in the space are Pine ‘Glauca’ (Pinus parviflora) and Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens).

The garden was designed by Annie Prebensen and Christina Williams and built by Frogheath Landscapes. The plants were grown by How Green Nursery. 

The Donkeys Matter garden will be brought back to the charity’s international headquarters in Devon where supporters and visitors can enjoy the garden for years to come.