In ‘The Heart of the Jungle’ at BBC Gardeners’ World Live

For the tens of thousands of visitors who descended on the NEC for BBC Gardeners’ World Live from 18–21 June 2026, the show gardens were arguably the event’s biggest attractions. Celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and horticultural excellence, they drew huge crowds throughout the four-day exhibition.

Amongst them, one particular garden was destined to capture the public’s imagination. Designed and built by the talented team at Dakic Garden Design, ‘The Heart of the Jungle’ offered an immersive experience that transported visitors far beyond the boundaries of a typical British garden.

And as one of the sponsors of this project, we were delighted to support them by supplying STIHL machinery to help bring their ambitious vision to life.

Meet The Team

Dakic Garden Design & Landscape Construction is a Sussex-based garden design and build company run by husband-and-wife team Jonathan and Briony Dakic.

Known for creating atmospheric outdoor spaces that feel both immersive and highly personal, they have built a reputation for combining creative design with strong horticultural knowledge and impressive construction standards. Their award-winning work has earned national recognition and established them as one of the most exciting garden design teams in the country.

For BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2026, they set out to create something truly memorable.

Creating Their Show Garden

‘The Heart of the Jungle’ was designed to challenge perceptions of what can be achieved within the footprint of a modern garden. Roughly the size of a typical new-build plot, the garden demonstrated how bold architecture and carefully layered planting can transform even modest spaces into something extraordinary.

The concept centred on creating a contemporary garden that felt immersive, vibrant and transportive — a place where visitors could feel as though they had stepped into a tropical retreat without ever leaving Britain.

The project was construction-led, involving structural timber work, bespoke fencing, raised beds and extensive planting, all carefully integrated to create a cohesive and achievable design suitable for British conditions.

A Garden Packed with Character

Every element of ‘The Heart of the Jungle’ was chosen to contribute to its distinctive atmosphere.

A striking heart-shaped pathway guided visitors through the space, leading them past dense layers of exotic planting and contemporary garden features. Grey porcelain paving provided a modern foundation, while a stylish water feature created one of several eye-catching focal points.

Pink timber arches added a bold splash of colour, contrasting beautifully with the charred slatted timber fencing that enclosed the space. Slate-grey metal edging provided clean, contemporary lines throughout the garden, helping to define planting areas and reinforce the modern aesthetic.

At the centre of the garden sat a pergola and seating area, where visitors could pause and take in their surroundings.

Adding another layer of quality and craftsmanship, all of the timber structures were proudly built in Great Britain.

Bringing the Jungle to Life

While the architectural elements made an immediate visual impact, it was the planting that truly brought ‘The Heart of the Jungle’ to life.

The garden featured a rich tapestry of exotic plants designed to create depth, texture and year-round interest. Visitors were treated to Chusan palms, soft tree ferns, Japanese banana plants, and the striking Spider’s Web, alongside dahlias, penstemons, chocolate cosmos, plus ginger and orange lilies.

Remarkably, around 60% of the plants featured in the garden had been grown by Jonathan and Briony themselves. Some of the ferns came from Jonathan’s mum’s garden, one of many examples of how the couple’s family had rallied round in support.

The result was a space that felt lush, exotic and established, despite being created within the temporary environment of a show garden.

A Hidden Oasis Amongst the Crowds

One of the most impressive (and surprising) aspects of the garden was its ability to create a genuine sense of seclusion.

Despite being situated within one of the busiest areas of the show, the central seating area felt remarkably private. Sitting and talking with Jonathan and Briony beneath the pergola, surrounded by dense foliage and thoughtful design features, it was easy to forget that a continuous stream of visitors were passing just a few feet away.

It was a powerful demonstration of how intelligent garden design can create sanctuary and escape, even in busy, public settings.

Supporting the Build with STIHL Machinery

Ron Smith & Co were proud to support the construction of ‘The Heart of the Jungle’ by supplying a range of STIHL tools used throughout the build process.

The STIHL TSA 230.1 Cordless Cut-Off Machine was used for intricate cuts on porcelain paving, while the STIHL TS 410 Petrol Cut-Off Machine handled larger porcelain slabs with ease. To keep the garden (and their van) looking immaculate throughout the build and exhibition, the team also utilised the STIHL BGA 250 Cordless Handheld Leaf Blower and the STIHL REA 100 PLUS Cordless Pressure Washer, complete with trolley and water tank.

The construction process itself was very much a family affair. Relatives worked alongside Jonathan and Briony throughout the build, helping transform the design from concept to reality.

Jonathan’s brother Alistair (and Alistair’s wife) played particularly important roles. As a professional joiner, Alistair took charge of many of the construction elements and was incredibly impressed by the STIHL machinery’s user-friendly designs and exceptional levels of performance.

Award-Winning Recognition for Their Work

Dakic Garden Design’s hard work, creativity and attention to detail didn’t go unnoticed.

‘The Heart of the Jungle’ received a Silver Merit Award from the judges, recognising the quality of both the design and execution.

Perhaps even more significantly, it also won The People’s Choice Award, voted for by visitors attending the show. This honour reflected the emotional connection the garden created with the public and highlighted just how successfully Jonathan and Briony achieved their vision.

Winning an award judged by fellow gardeners has to be one of the most rewarding achievements of all.

Featured on BBC Gardeners’ World

Alongside their awards, Jonathan and Briony were also incredibly proud to be featured on BBC Gardeners’ World, broadcast on the Friday of the event and available now through BBC iPlayer.

You can also join presenter Adam Frost for a walk through the Heart of the Jungle, courtesy of Dakic Garden Design’s Instagram account.

Looking Ahead to 2027

BBC Gardeners’ World Live will move to The Packington Estate in Meriden, Warwickshire, next year, providing an exciting new setting for the event.

Jonathan and Briony have already indicated their intention to return, aiming to create something even bigger and better for the public to enjoy.

Based on the success of ‘The Heart of the Jungle’, we can’t wait to see what they have planned.

Supporting Excellence in Gardening

At Ron Smith & Co, we’re passionate about supporting gardening at every level. From award-winning professionals like Dakic Garden Design to the nation’s weekend gardeners, we believe everybody deserves access to machinery that is intelligently designed, supremely reliable, and built to deliver exceptional results.

So, if you’ve been inspired by ‘The Heart of the Jungle’, and are itching to get out in the garden, be sure to make us your first port of call for all of your tools and machinery. From disc cutters, pressure washers and chainsaws to lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and leaf blowers, we’ve got everything needed to bring your own garden ambitions to life.