Chelsea Flower Show: A Celebration of Garden Design
- Aga Michalec
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
"I just come and talk to the plants, really – very important to talk to them, they respond I find."
King Charles III
The Chelsea Flower Show is the crown jewel of the horticultural calendar, an event that has dazzled garden lovers and designers alike for over a century. Held annually in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, this world-renowned event showcases the very best in garden design, floral artistry, and landscape innovation.
A Glimpse into History
First launched in 1913 by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the Chelsea Flower Show has evolved into an international phenomenon, attracting visitors from around the globe. Over the decades, it has witnessed everything from regal visits by the British monarchy to groundbreaking garden trends that have shaped the industry. Iconic past displays have included Prince Harry’s ‘Forget-Me-Not’ garden and Diarmuid Gavin’s whimsical mechanical gardens.
Short video featuring the images from the first shows: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p067fsgn
More photos from the archives: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningpicturegalleries/5330884/Queen-Elizabeth-II-and-The-Royal-Family-at-the-Chelsea-Flower-Show-1913-1958.html
Famous Garden Installations
In 2013, the centenary edition of the show featured a remarkable collaboration between renowned garden designer Jinny Blom and HRH Prince Harry. The Prince wished to create a garden inspired by his charity’s work in Lesotho, a country often referred to as the 'Forgotten Kingdom.' This unique installation reflected the country's mountainous landscapes, traditional round houses, and intricately patterned blankets, which are a key part of its national identity. With a climate similar to Wales, Lesotho’s cool and damp conditions informed the garden’s planting choices, resulting in a space that blended cultural storytelling with horticultural artistry
Diarmuid Gavin known for his bold and theatrical approach to garden design, have delighted Chelsea audiences with gardens full of playful, kinetic elements. Gavin has created show-stopping installations, such as the 2016 'Harrods British Eccentrics Garden.' This display featured moving topiary, spinning trees, and a whimsical, multi-level planting scheme that came to life at timed intervals. His work often blends traditional horticulture with fantastical engineering, transforming gardens into living, breathing spectacles of motion and surprise.
One of his most audacious projects was the gold medal-winning ‘Irish Sky Garden’ in 2011, inspired by the film Avatar. This daring installation featured a 15-metre ‘floating’ garden suspended 25 metres above the Royal Hospital grounds by an enormous crane. Shaped like a giant eye, it allowed up to eight visitors at a time to experience breathtaking views across London. On the ground, visitors could admire the structure from below, with its reflection captured in 25 perfectly round pools surrounded by an eclectic mix of plants, shrubs, and trees from around the world. The Irish Sky Garden remains one of the most ambitious and talked-about designs in Chelsea Flower Show history.
Link to the video of the project " https://youtu.be/fwRuH2LcHeQ?feature=shared
‘Irish Sky Garden’by Diarmuid Gavin on The 2011 edition of Chelsea Flower Show.
Source of the images: https://www.rhs.org.uk/
Spectacular Garden Installations
Each year, designers push the boundaries of creativity, blending architecture, sustainability, and horticulture into breathtaking landscapes. The show gardens often incorporate themes such as climate resilience, mental well-being, and rewilding, offering fresh inspiration for both professionals and home gardeners.
Some standout installations from past editions include:
The Green Switch Garden (2019) – A tranquil Japanese-inspired oasis encouraging harmony with nature. The upper level features a tea room enclosed by glass walls, while the lower level offers a parking area. Adjacent to the tea room is a glass-enclosed shower room. Two waterfalls and a tranquil pond add soothing sounds, with the ripples in the water creating ever-changing reflections of the surrounding flowers.
"The ‘green switch’ represents the space we inhabit when we ‘switch off’ from the stresses of contemporary urban life and seek the things we like to do, such as spending time in nature." - RHS
‘The Green Switch Garden’ by Kazuyuki Ishihara on The 2021 edition of Chelsea Flower Show.
Source: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/history/2019/gardens/green-switch
The Resilience Garden (2019) – Addressing climate change with innovative planting solutions.
"The garden looks ahead to the challenges facing forests of the future. It explores how our woodlands can be made resilient to a changing climate and the increasing threats of pests and diseases." - RHS
‘The Resilience Garden’ by Sarah Eberle on The 2019 edition of Chelsea Flower Show.
The Alitex Glasshouse Gardens – A fusion of classic and contemporary greenhouse aesthetics. Gentle mix of aluminium, glass and plants.
" Promoting the circular economy and showcasing how everyone can achieve a beautiful growing space even when we reduce, reuse and recycle." - Alitex
Greenhouses by Alitex - Chelsea Flower Show.
The Water Aid Garden (2024) – A water - wise garden was designed to harnessed the power of rainwater and highlight the importance of sustainable water management to combat the effects of climate change.
"Firstly, include plenty of tough drought tolerant plants, such as erigeron, that can cope without being watered. Look for ways to harvest rainwater in your garden – this could be as simple as a water butt connected to your downpipes. But the more ways you can collect water the better. And finally, choose water-permeable surfaces for your hard landscaping. I've used metal grills for the pathways in my garden, and small pavers that will allow water to drain through the cracks, which have been filled with gritty sand and plants." - Tom Massey
‘The Water Aid Garden’ by Tom Massey on The 2024 edition of Chelsea Flower Show.
Photographs by Alister Thorpe
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