Premier Gold and family pride in show garden build

Over the last twelve years, the J Paxman Landscapes team have created four show gardens at Harrogate Spring and Autumn events. Returning in 2025 after an eight-year hiatus, the team, led by father and son Justin and Nathan Paxman, worked in partnership with the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) and garden designer Melissa Morton to take the Best in Show and Premier Gold glory at last week’s 2025 Spring event.

The show garden ‘A Garden for Gathering’ began life as a concept and design from Melissa Morton Landscape and Garden Design. With Melissa from Ilkley and the Paxmans from Huddersfield, the West Yorkshire collaborators were invited by the APL to bring the design to life, a feat they completed in under a week before the Show which ran from 24-27 April 2025.

A first in Gold

Taking the company’s first Gold award for a show garden, Justin’s son Nathan Paxman was ecstatic with the results, particularly as this was also his own first show garden. He said:

“I’ve really enjoyed it from start to finish. There’s always something unforeseen to overcome, just like in most landscape builds, but the team worked together and just got on with it! I’ve learned from my dad’s experience, both in business and in show garden builds and it’s been a real privilege to work with him, Melissa and the APL on this and get the Best in Show and Premier Gold. We’re beyond proud.”

Six days to build excellence

The team took six days to complete the build which includes herbaceous and shrub planting, large trees, a pergola, seating area, gravel and paving, a swirling low level wall and water feature. The plants took centre stage, looking resplendent and drawing fantastic comments from the visitors, a few of which we include below:

““Very posh”
“Love the corner flourish and flow”
“That’s gorgeous, that would look lovely in my garden”
“We could do with a gravel path with pocket plants like that!”
“This is exactly what I was telling you about, a beautiful sweeping wall”
“Great for pottering and relaxing”
“I love the bowl water feature – it’s impressive yet subtle”
“Isn’t that beautiful? The swirls are lovely”

Supporting the APL

Phil Tremayne, General Manager of the APL said:

“Huge congratulations to Justin, Nathan and the team and Melissa Moreton for her creativity and design experience. Receiving the Premier Gold and Best in Show awards is no easy feat, and the teamwork between designer and contractor has been a brilliantly successful one, and one they should be really proud of. Thanks also to APL regional manager Simon Abbot who worked alongside to bring this beautiful garden to reality.”

Engage with J Paxman Landscapes

J Paxman Landscapes are an established soft and hard landscaping company based in Huddersfield. They have been building commercial and domestic landscapes since 1999, are very much a family business, and are experts in planting, paving, structural works, wildflower and turf. They have a broad portfolio which can be viewed here.

To find out more about engaging the J Paxman Landscapes team on your own garden or landscape project, you can explore the website, email  or call 01484 451 387.