Key trends at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show
A must-see in the gardening calendar, the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show is poised to captivate audiences once again in 2024 with an array of trends that showcase the latest in garden design and landscape innovation. This year, British Garden Centres explores the themes at the world-famous show such as sustainability, climate resilience, and the integration of nature and wellness into garden spaces.
Sustainability
Sustainability continues to be a major focus for designers at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024. The gardens will highlight water-wise planting and feature drought-resistant plants that require less water. They will also incorporate recycled materials in the creation of the show garden and design. Visitors can also expect to see practices that promote biodiversity and ecological balance, such as planting native species and creating habitats for pollinators and other wildlife.
St James's Piccadilly's "Imagine the World to be Different" Garden has opted for cement-free concrete made of fly ash. Carbon 8 has provided carbon-negative paving material. The walls are made from bricks and clay stocks using lime mortar. Similarly, the Terrence Higgins Trust Bridge to 2030 Garden uses reclaimed and recycled materials for features such as a timber boundary wall and patchwork metal retaining walls.
Climate Resilience
As climate change continues to impact weather patterns, gardens that are built to withstand extreme conditions will be showcased prominently. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 will display gardens that are designed to handle both drought and heavy rainfall, showcasing how adaptable and resilient gardens can be in the face of changing climates.
For example, designs may include rain gardens to capture and manage excess water during heavy rainfall, as well as drought-tolerant landscapes featuring native plants that thrive in dry conditions. The Flood Re: Flood Resilient Garden will demonstrate how gardens can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change's effects and inspire visitors with ideas for flood-proofing their gardens.
Native Planting
The use of native plants and wildflowers is another major theme this year. Designers will aim to create naturalistic gardens that celebrate the beauty and diversity of local flora, while also supporting wildlife habitats. These gardens will mimic natural ecosystems, providing essential resources for birds, bees, and butterflies, and include The Stroke Association’s Garden for Recovery which will use a "biodiverse matrix" of native and non-native plants. The National Garden Scheme Garden features a plant palette designed to thrive in clay soil that tends to dry out, reflecting the challenges of the current climate. The WaterAid Garden will also showcase plants specifically chosen to handle different levels of rainfall.
Urban gardening
With more people living in urban environments, the demand for creative urban gardening solutions is on the rise. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 will feature gardens that cater to city dwellers, showcasing vertical gardens, green roofs, and compact designs that maximise space and resources. The Balcony Gardens will demonstrate how limited spaces can be transformed into green havens that provide aesthetic beauty, fresh produce, and even opportunities for local wildlife.
The Container Gardens are smaller garden spaces at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which focus on creativity and practicality. They provide inspirational arrangements of various plants in pots, troughs, or other containers, demonstrating how beautiful and functional gardens can be created even in limited spaces.
Wellness
The show will also focus on gardens designed for wellness and tranquillity. These spaces are intended to promote relaxation, meditation, and overall well-being, serving as sanctuaries for mental and physical health.
The Muscular Dystrophy UK Forest Bathing Garden is inspired by the ancient Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku which means bathing in the forest atmosphere or 'forest bathing' and reconnecting with nature through the senses whilst the World Child Cancer’s Nurturing Garden is a sensory haven, which brings joy, hope and escapism through nature for children undergoing cancer treatment.
Community
The show will also spotlight gardens designed with a focus on community. These spaces aim to bring people together and foster engagement, highlighting how gardening can create welcoming environments for everyone. The Octavia Hill Garden by Blue Diamond with the National Trust is an urban community wildlife garden and will promote both sustainability and the idea of gardening as a shared experience, showing how urban gardens can serve as gathering spaces, facilitating connections and enriching lives.
Thanks for reading.
