2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show has officially opened its gates for this years amazing show. From insight into small space gardens, large scale architectural builds, as well as the official plants of the year and advice from industry experts the Chelsea flower show is a hub of gardening knowledge. It's hard to feel uninspired after watching the show or even visiting!
This year has seen an overarching theme of sustainable practices, from recycled water and materials to peat free composts and UK grown plants. Chelsea flower show has an amazing range of show gardens that allows anyone the opportunity to feel inspired and replicate the designs in their own space, whether that is a balcony space or a larger outdoor garden.
Lets take a look at some individual gardens:
The RHS No Adults Allowed: the first ever garden designed by children!
Sullvian Primary School in Fulham had the honour of crafting the first ever show garden designed by children with the help of designer Harry Holding. This garden is a space for their children to escape to, it gives them the opportunity to explore nature and learn about their surroundings, the only rule is No Adults Allowed! The garden uses largely recycled materials with no cement or concrete in the design.
The Junglette balcony garden showcases how you can turn a small area into a tranquil heaven of outdoor peace, it layers hardy jungle plants with soft flowers at the front of the balcony creating the perception of added depth in the outdoor space.
The key sustainable feature in this design is that paper has been recycled into the durable walls, furniture and decking!
The Water Saving Garden, sponsored by Affinity Water- A Bronze medal winner
The last garden we wish to highlight is the water saving garden, this is in the courtyard category and focuses on collecting rainwater to reuse in the space. This garden caught our eye as it is easily replicated in your space at home, with a simple bistro set at the heart of the space, surrounded by deep planted boarders and gravel flooring.
All of these spaces have key plants listed on the RHS website, so if you are keen to recreate these design full lists are available to view. View all the show gardens here: Show gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 / RHS Gardening
Plant of the year
Another feature of Chelsea Flower Show is the plant of the year!
This year's chosen plant is the Prunus ‘Starlight’, a winter and spring flowering cherry tree.
The runner up award goes to the ‘Cosmos atrosanguineus CHERRY CHOCOLATE’ This is an amazing delicate cosmos with a vibrant cherry coloured flower with a chocolate scented centre with contrasting yellow pollen. These cosmos have improved hardiness meaning they are a great flower for our gardens. We grow these Cherry chocolate cosmos on our local growing sites in East Yorkshire and they will be available in our centre in the next week. Stock will be limited so keep an eye on our social media for a delivery date!
And in third place is the Agave ‘Praying Hands’ a unique member of the Mangave family, featuring an upright elegant teardrop shape.
If you haven't already taken a look at this years Chelsea flower show it's available on BBC One to watch or visit their website for an overview!