5 tips from Chelsea Flower Show
5 key takeaways from Chelsea Flower Show
This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show was full of inspiration for our outdoor spaces…
Main image: The SongBird Survival Garden.Designed by Nicola Oakey. Photo: RHS/Sarah Cuttle
Go wild
One of the most powerful themes that came across is how gardeners are embracing more naturalistic planting schemes. The Wildlife Trusts’ Rainforest Garden, designed by Teddington designer Zoe Claymore, highlights the benefits of working with not against nature. We’re looking for inspiration in the landscapes that surround us, picking plants that thrive locally and working in harmony with the conditions we have. Our view of what a gorgeous garden means is also evolving, seeing the beauty in nature itself rather than automatically embracing the more formal forced styles we have been used to.
The Wildlife Trusts British Rainforest Garden. Designed by Zoe Claymore. Photo: RHS/Tim-Sandall
Gardens for all
From creative and cool ways to house birds and bees to quirky bug hotels, Chelsea had a range of ideas to help attract nature into your garden. This included tips such as making sure you have a range of plants that flower at different times through the year. The Songbird Survival Garden had a Birdhouse Den, bird-friendly planting offering food, nesting materials and shelter, and a shallow pond. We’re making our gardens a haven for pets too: dog-lover Monty Don created a garden for Chelsea that was inspired by his own – a place that is loved by dogs as much as their owners. There’s a lawn for playing ball, trees for shade and a stream to wallow in. Apple trees also feature as his dogs love chasing the fruits and eating them. And the power of gardens for people was clear with many showing how they are a powerful force for mental wellbeing, particularly during challenging times. The Peace of Mind Garden demonstrated the benefits of colour therapy. The Chelsea Pensioners Garden showed a tranquil spot for meeting others, or reflection.
Making Life Better With Bees. Designed by Jenny Rafferty, Frantisek Zika and Jim Goodman. Photo: RHS/Tim Sandall / Monty Don pictured with his dog Ned on The RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden. Photo: RHS/Ollie Dixon
Cool ideas for small spaces
A copper bath rub on a balcony was one of the ingenious ideas for making the most of an urban outdoor space. Perfect for a cold plunge, the bath water can then be recycled to water the plants. A Space To Read Balcony featured antique copper pots, a Chinese dogwood and, of course, an armchair and lighting for night-time reading. Containers bursted with colours and textures and climbing plants made use of vertical spaces, ideal for small outdoor areas.
Fettercairn Wilderness Retreat. Designed by ssh scapes : Sonia Kamel, Sally Giles and Helier Bowling. Photo: RHS/Tim-Sandall / A Space to Read Balcony Garden sponsored by Viking. Designed by Freddie Strickland and Ben Gifford. Photo: RHS/Tim Sandall
Future-proofing
There were plenty of ideas on how to make gardens more resilient to droughts and flooding. Forget the ugly plastic water butt and instead opt for a more in keeping timber one. Sloped paths direct rainwater to plants. Or rig up a drainage system that takes rainwater from buildings (a shed will do) and directs the water to plants – some of them looked like a work of art in themselves. Meanwhile, the 50:50 split of planting and paving is falling out of favour in garden design. More plants equals cooler temperatures and help with flooding. Ideas include increasing border size or incorporating walkways where plants can grow below.
Boodles Raindance Garden. Designed by Dr Catherine MacDonald.Photo: RHS/Neil-Hepworth / Garden of the Future. Designed by Matthew Butler and Josh Parker. Photo: RHS/Sarah-Cuttle
New planting ideas
The Great Pavilion showcased a wide range of pioneering new plants, including the first ground-covering hydrangea and a creeping thyme ‘Snowdrift’ which is ideal for balconies and between paving. Conifers are having a comeback, with Southern European species more drought-resistant. Multi-purpose plants are proving popular – particularly incredible edibles that taste as good as they look. Plant goji berry, lingonberry, sea kale and red-veined sorrel. She Grows Veg is encouraging people to ‘Grow the Rainbow’ with heirloom seeds – you can eat your home-grown bounty when it is at its peak and it’s all available in your garden so no food miles! In terms of colours, purples and pinks dominated, interspersed with pops of yellow.
