Chelsea 2023 Restorative theme
With the announcement of the first line-up of show gardens for the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, sponsored by the Newt in Somerset, several themes emerge as the show again shines the spotlight on the ways gardening and gardens can contribute positively to our health and wellbeing and the environment.
Inclusive green spaces for socially deprived communities to connect with nature and gardens for patient recovery in hospital make up some of the 12 show gardens announced.
Chelsea Gold medal winner Tom Massey is inspired by the rich biodiversity found on brownfield sites and areas of wasteland that are highly beneficial to insect life.
Horatio’s Garden, designed by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg, is a wheelchair accessible garden for patients recovering from spinal injury. The garden focuses on the evidence-based needs of those in long term hospital settings, providing a beautiful space away from clinical settings. After the show, it will be relocated to the Northern General Hospital Sheffield to benefit its patients and staff.
The Land of Healing: Korean Mountain Light garden, designed by Korean designer Jihae Hwang, promotes how a rewilding project in the designer’s home country has helped prevent native plants from becoming extinct.
Helena Pettit, RHS Director of Shows and Gardens, said: “It’s no coincidence that the restorative power of gardens and gardening – both for people and the environment – returns as the main theme for 2023’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. So whether you’re looking to create a wildlife haven on your doorstep, for ideas to garden more sustainably or to brighten up your balcony, the 2023 show will be teeming with gardening inspiration to help you bring more plants into your home.”
Other Show Gardens include The Savills Garden designed by Mark Gregory, which champions how growing your own food can form the basis of a healthy lifestyle and the Nurture Landscapes Garden by Sarah Price, a low carbon garden.
The 2023 Show Gardens announced in full below:
Show Gardens 2023 in full
Centre for Mental Health’s The Balance Garden designed by Jonathan Davies and Steve Williams (Wild City Studio), Sponsor: Project Giving Back/Centre for Mental Health – Contractor: Stewart Landscape Ltd.
The RBC Brewin Dolphin Garden designed by Paul Hervey-Brookes, Sponsor: RBC Brewin Dolphin - Contractor: GK Wilson
The Centrepoint Garden designed by Cleve West , Sponsor: Project Giving Back/Centrepoint – Contractor: Crocus Ltd.
The Fauna & Flora International Garden designed by Jilayne Rickards, Sponsor: Project Giving Back/Fauna & Flora International – Contractor: Living Landscapes
Land of Healing: Korean Mountain Light designed by Jihae Hwang , Sponsor: Hoban Cultural Foundation and MUUM Ltd - Contractor: The Landscape Tailor
Myeloma UK Garden designed by Chris Beardshaw, Sponsor: Project Giving Back/Myeloma – UK Contractor: Cultura
The Nurture Landscapes Garden designed by Sarah Price, Sponsor: Nurture Landscapes – Contractor: Crocus Ltd
Horatio’s Garden designed by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg Sponsor: Project Giving Back/Horatio’s Garden - Contractor: Ryan Alexander Associates
The Royal Entomological Society Garden designed by Tom Massey Sponsor: Project Giving Back/The Royal Entomological Society – Contractor: Landscape Associates
The Samaritans Listening Garden designed by Darren Hawkes, Sponsor: Samaritans/Project Giving Back – Contractor: Landform Consultants Ltd.
The Savills Garden designed by Mark Gregory Sponsor: Savills – Contractor: Landform Consultants Ltd.
Transcendence designed by Gavin McWilliam and Andrew Wilson , Sponsor: Darwin Alternative Investment Management Ltd. – Contractor: The Outdoor Room
For the second year, several of the Show Gardens are being supported by grant-giving charity, Project Giving Back with seven UK-registered charities selected for their Show Garden funding .
In the Great Pavilion, there will be more than 70 specialist nurseries including Raymond Evison Clematis. First-time exhibitors include mushroom-growers Caley Bros while Hedgehog Plants are creating an epimedium theatre.
There will be a Children’s Picnic at Chelsea for the first time at the 2023 Show – a unique event aimed at bringing gardening and nature into the lives of children. In its first year, 100 children will attend the picnic and 10 schools in some of the most disadvantaged areas in London, who have joined the RHS Campaign for School Gardening will be invited to bring 10 of their pupils to visit the Show on Monday 22nd May.
Tickets are now on sale – details here.
Photo credits: All images ©Reckless Gardener, credit Emma Campbell Photography
