Leaf It With Me Gardens and Design

21/08/2026

Running my own business means I get to work in some of the most beautiful gardens in Leicestershire, I have worked here for 4 + years. This place has now gone on the market, I will be here until it sells, and I will continue to enjoy every moment of my work, in this beautiful setting.

I hope it finds new owners who love it as much as the people, who live here and for everyone that has been lucky enough to come and enjoy the gardens and vineyard. Rothley Wine Estate Liz Robson

18/07/2026

A special thank you to all of the garden centres and plant nurseries outside of Leicestershire.

Colin Gregory Roses Ltd, Eastcroft Roses, Ladybrook Nursery, Westons Nursery. Four Oaks Cash & Carry Macclesfield/ Cheshire & the wonderful company Dakic Garden & Design who I met at the NEC BBC Gardeners' World Live, I brought African Mallow plants off them.

Building a garden for a show takes a lot of time 6 months + of planning and especially if there is only 1 of you like me. I am proud of myself for everything I achieved with this project. Arranging my sponsorship, logistics how to get everything to the show and back again, sourcing materials and plants, designing my own business cards, doing all of my social media and marketing. I was lucky to have good friends, who leant me plants and volunteered their time for free to help with various different tasks, that I needed support with.

18/07/2026

This time last week, I was talking to visitors about my show border garden at the Belvoir Castle Flower and Garden show.

Creating the garden was a real challenge—two long days of building in temperatures soaring into the mid-30s as the heatwave arrived. It was physically demanding, and this week I’ve definitely been feeling the effects!

But despite the hard work and aching muscles, I had an incredible experience. Seeing the finished garden come together, chatting with so many lovely people, and being part of such a fantastic event made every moment worthwhile.

So, the big question… would I do it all again and build another show border garden?

Absolutely… ask me again once I’ve recovered! 🌿🌸😊

This post is not just about me, I would like to thank all of the garden centres and plant nurseries I used to selected my plants 🌱 from.

Derrys Nurseries Cossington, Brooklea Nursery, Rothley, Miles Nurseries Ltd, Coles Nurseries, Naturescape Wildflower Farm

10/07/2026

With Shell on Earth – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

I got this business to product sponsor me for my show boarder garden The Belvoir Castle Garden show. I have used their product for a few years now and it is a waste product of the fishing industry, it has so many uses for gardening & garden design.

10/07/2026

Two very hot 🥵 days in 30 + heat building a show boarder garden. An amazing opportunity and a new chapter in my story. I had help today from two friends Andy & Kevin and I am grateful for them volunteering their time to help me out. It has been a lot of hard work all the planning, logistics, getting sponsorship, growing & caring for plants I have also brought. Would I do it again yes, other opportunities are in the background for other shows next year. !! Sometimes it’s not what you know, but who you know !! My carer is moving forwards to bigger and greater things. 🙂

10/07/2026

On Wednesday this week it all began…

Moving everything from Syston up to The Belvoir Castle Garden show ready to begin my build on Thursday morning.

01/07/2026

At the beginning of this process, I was worried I would not be able to get sponsorship. So I decided I would sponsor myself, with my business. Then I reached out to other people, when my confidence grew and I have amazing news Shell on Earth are product sponsoring me & The Gate Hangs Well Syston which is a local pub near where I live, they also had a personal connection to Anna. They have paid for my garden display board, which explains the garden story. Some of my garden will be given to the pub after the show. I also have beautiful hand designed artwork from an illustrator based in Leicestershire & free help with moving all of my stuff to site and back home again afterwards. Behind the scenes a lot of work goes into doing a project like this. I work by myself I do not have a team, but I have a great support network around me and people offering to help with the build so hopefully it will all come together
The Belvoir Castle Garden show

Fundraising for Loros

https://www.justgiving.com/page/charlotte-ryan-7?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

gardenshow

23/06/2026

On 9th and 10th July, I’ll be building a show border garden The Belvoir Castle Garden show, with the gardens open to visitors on 11th and 12th July.

As well as following the design brief, I am using this wonderful opportunity to raise money for LOROS, the Leicestershire charity that provides outstanding care and support to people with terminal illnesses and their families.

This project is especially close to my heart. In January, I lost my dear friend Anna, who was like a sister to me. For ten years, she generously gave her time to help me run my Facebook group, WasteNot Leicestershire Reduce, Re-use, Recycle. I have dedicated this garden to her memory, creating a design inspired by things that were special to her and that reflect her love of the natural world.

For me, this is not about winning. It’s about taking part, embracing an incredible opportunity, celebrating a beautiful life, and raising funds so that more people across Leicestershire can access the amazing end-of-life care that LOROS Hospice provides.

If you can make it, I would love to see you there. 🙂

https://www.belvoircastle.com/events/flower-and-garden-show/

https://www.justgiving.com/page/charlotte-ryan-7?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Help Charlotte Ryan raise money to support LOROS, the Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice