It could be argued that in London, summer doesn't really begin until the doors to The RHS Chelsea Flower Show open: the showcase falls at the end of May and with it, the grounds of Royal Hospital Chelsea burst into technicolour, with show gardens from some of the UK's most recognisable names. The annual event gives garden designers up and down the country the opportunity to showcase their skills and raise awareness to a variety of causes: Whether that is in creating a garden space that redefines what sustainability is, a place to escape or one that encourages young people to engage with nature, the showcase is certainly one of the most inspiring events on the calendar.
This year, the gardens on show each fit into one of seven categories: Balcony Gardens; Container Gardens; Houseplant Studios; Show Features; Show Gardens; and Small Show Gardens. There is also the opportunity to encounter new and exciting flower varieties, with the show's central area dedicated to the ‘All About Plants’ tent.
From Charlie Chase's debut garden that combines native blooms with shade-loving plants to Patrick Clarke's urban sanctuary that offers teenagers a sense of safety and peace, this a complete list of all of the gardens at Chelsea Flower Show 2026: each one giving a taste of the colourful and bold excitements to come.
Darren Hawkes1/28SHOW GARDENS
Lady Garden Foundation 'Silent No More' Garden by Darren Hawkes
The Lady Garden Foundation is working with garden designer Darren Hawkes on a botanical space that aims to open up conversations about gynaecological health. Running through the centre of the garden is a winding path lined with bright, colourful plants. Along the way are five sculptures by Eduardo Chillida, each one representing a gynaecological cancer. The sculptures also provide spaces for visitors to commune and engage in open conversations.
Arit Anderson2/28Parkinson's UK - A Garden for Every Parkinson's Journey by Arit Anderson
Garden designer and writer Arit Anderson has conceived of a dynamic garden whose purpose is to provide a place of comfort and beauty for those suffering with Parkinson's disease, as well as for their supporters. The garden is divided into three parts, each with a different purpose: energising, restful, and night-time zones use different colours and textures to offer a supportive environment for patients. After the flower show is over the garden will be replanted at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
Patrick Clarke3/28The Children's Society Garden by Patrick Clarke
An unusual mix of reclaimed materials, recycled steel and glass form the basis of this garden by Patrick Clarke. Created with the aim of providing an safe, peaceful urban escape for teenagers, the garden is packed with lush greenery and hardy, colourful plants. Each element has been chosen for its suitability and its symbolism: this is a story of hope, renewal and resilience, and after the flower show the garden will be moved to a youth support centre in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, which ’gives teenagers the time to talk, reflect and get the support they need without long waits or barriers,’ says the RHS.
Alex Michaelis4/28The Eden Project Bring Me Sunshine Garden by Harry Holding and Alex Michaelis
This joyful garden sees the coming together of two leading figures int he world of garden design and architecture: Harry Holding and Alex Michaelis, co-founder of architecture studio Michaelis Boyd. The garden is inspired by the landscapes and culture surrounding Morecambe Bay in the north of England, and aims to offer young people the opportunity to connect and explore new, practical skills. The garden is anchored by a central solar-powered structure, under which moments of connecting and practical lessons can take place. Elsewhere, salt-tolerant planting, textured grasses and native species evoke the coastal theme of the garden. The garden will be replanted at the Eden Project Morecambe, where it will form part of a large new community space for learning.
Sarah Eberle5/28The Campaign to Protect Rural England Garden 'On the Edge' by Sarah Eberle
Known for her dynamic, ‘fusion’ style, Sarah Eberle is returning to Chelsea Flower Show this year with a garden that demonstrates the potential beauty in neglected green spaces that can often be found countryside areas on the fringes of towns and cities. Her design for the ‘on the edge’ garden features a fallen tree, reimagined into a sculpture of the goddess Gaia, who represents the earth. The sculpture cascades into a pool of water, demonstrating the connection between the elements. Textural and coloured plants combine to create a vibrant space.
Tom Stuart-Smith6/28The Tate Britain Garden by Tom Stuart-Smith
Tom Stuart Smith is a stalwart of the garden design industry who is known for his timeless yet innovative approach. Working alongside Tate Britain, Tom has taken inspiration from East Asian woodlands and incorporated a selection of hardy plants to create an urban sanctuary. At the heart of the garden will be a sculpture by a yet-to-be-announced artist: a nod towards the upcoming launch of Tate Britain's ‘Clore Garden’, which will see a number of sculptures by renowned British artists installed outside the Pimlico institution.
Baz Grainger7/28The Killik & Co 'A Seed in Time' Garden by Baz Grainger
Britain's wetlands, which are scattered across the country, provide the inspiration for this garden by Baz Grainger, who has collaborated with wealth management firm Killik & Co. on the project. With the aim of creating a soothing family retreat, the garden puts the spotlight on traditional crafts and materials: it features a reed and straw structure that is designed to collect and repurpose rainwater, as well as fruiting trees and resilient planting, all designed with longevity and biodiversity in mind.
Angus Thompson8/28Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space Garden by Angus Thompson
Garden designer Angus Thompson has installed a selection of low-allergen plants for this Asthma + Lung UK garden in order to provide a safe and restorative space from those suffering from lung conditions. In keeping with the serene, restorative theme, the planting largely sticks to a green and white palette, with gentle pops of purple and orange interspersed throughout. The lateral space also features a platform that has been designed to provide an area to practice breathing exercises.
Kazuyuki Ishihara and Paul Noritaka Tange9/28Tokonoma Garden SANUMAYA no NIWA by Kazuyuki Ishihara, Paul Noritaka Tange
This garden transports you far from the banks of the Thames and into an utterly beautiful Japanese tea room surrounded by native planting. Named for a traditional Japanese raised alcove that acts as a viewing platform, a Tokonama, the garden calls upon garden designer Kazuyuki Ishihara's childhood memories of family gatherings. A central stream links the garden gate with the Tokonoma structure, and is surrounded by stone, moss and seasonal planting.
Joe Carey and Laura Carey10/28SMALL SHOW GARDENS
Addleshaw Goddard Flourish in the City by Joe Carey and Laura Carey
Putting the spotlight on the many magnificent gardens scattered throughout London, Joe and Laura Carey have created an oasis that incorporates materials often found in the city - Portland stone and copper – with those we associate with nature: running water and bountiful planting. The plants in question include pine, London Pride and plantago varieties that are often found growing in pavement cracks.
Max Parker-Smith11/28Journey Beyond the Tracks From Adelaide to Perth by Max Parker-Smith
London-based garden designer Max Parker-Smith is taking inspiration from the Australian landscape for his show garden, which is packed with interesting and imaginative ideas. In the middle, a train carriage-like structure perched upon ochre-coloured eco-concrete separates the left and the right of the garden, with one side representing the wildness of the Western Australian outback and the other, the vibrancy of Adelaide’s urban green spaces. The palette is one of muted greens, blues and ‘hot-coloured’ flowers.
Catherine MacDonald12/28The Boodles Garden by Catherine MacDonald
Historic Royal Palaces provided a starting point for Catherine MacDonald, who has used four of them as inspiration for her Chelsea garden. The garden’s layout mirrors that of the Tower of London, and features a similar light-coloured limestone that can be found around Hampton Court Palace. The garden’s central pavilion takes inspiration from the ceiling of the Picnic Room in Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, Kew Palace, while plants in opulent shades of purple and red are a nod to the Damask wallpapers found in many of the royal palaces.
Rob Hardy13/28Trussell's Together Garden by Rob Hardy
The message behind Rob Hardy’s ‘Together Garden’, designed in collaboration with charity Trussell, is that when we all join together to fight hunger, the effects can be significant. Through a network of intersecting paths peppered with seating areas and a frame structure of individual planks of timber that interweave, the garden highlights the idea of ‘strength in numbers’. For the planting, Rob has chosen a considered mix of bright plants and softer, woodland species to demonstrate the power of diversity and collaboration.
Sarah Mayfield and Monika Greenhough14/28BALCONY AND CONTAINER GARDENS
Hedgerow in the Sky - Tech Mahindra by Sarah Mayfield and Monika Greenhough
Reimagining the character of British hedgerows within an urban setting – which in this case is a small balcony – Sarah Mayfield and Monika Greenhough's sanctuary demonstrates the appeal of layered planting, natural textures and wildlife-friendly design. The idea is to illustrate the nurturing potential in even the smallest spaces, as well as to remind us of the important role that such spaces play in maintaining biodiversity.
15/28Tales from the Riverbank Garden sponsored by Kennedys' Independent Property Agents by Susie Kennedy and Kate Henning
A river-dwelling couple’s dream garden, imagined by Susie Kennedy and Kate Henning here, comes small but perfectly formed around a makeshift floating home, celebrating the arts and crafts of a bygone era of fully-integrated and fully-functional riverside living. Informed by her own experience of living on a houseboat, Kate has included a dipping tank, an outdoor entertaining and cooking area and several edible plant varieties to the imagined space.
Janice Molyneux and Sarah Fisher,Peter Karn16/28The Sightsavers Garden: ‘we start with sight but we don't stop ’ by Peter Karn, Janice Molyneux and Sarah Fisher
Inspired by Sightsavers' mission to champion disability rights, ‘we start with sight but we don’t stop there’ takes the form of a multi-sensory garden that can offer a holistic experience. The garden is rich in sound (the sway Briza media), scent (creeping thyme), texture (the soft, silver leaves of the Stachya byrantina) and even taste (pollinator-friendly chive flowers). It has been designed by Peter Karn, Sarah Fisher and Janice Molyneux of Ostara garden design, a north London-based design studio that defines its mission as bringing ‘the spirit of nature, rebirth and renewal to every project’.
John Howlett17/28Flood Re:Contain the Rain Garden, by John Howlett
John Howlett's London-ready garden design draws inspiration from Persia's paradisiacal gardens, using a series of hexagonal planers to maximise every inch of space and create a small but truly immersive sanctuary. With the garden sponsored by Flood Re, John also placed extra importance of permeable surfaces and integrated water storage to manage excess rainwater. He approached the choices of plants with the same consideration, with a focus on resilient, drought-tolerant species.
Rebecca Lloyd Jones18/28The Transient Garden by Rebecca Lloyd Jones
A literal yet inspiring illustration of transience, Rebecca Lloyd Jones' accomplished garden is filled with modular, sustainable and lightweight elements designed to be easily moved and reconfigured, including lavish container planting and folding furniture. Planting in shades of oranges, purples and white has been chosen to provide a vibrant contrast with the greys and blues most often seen from a city balcony. The plants in question – among them Armeria maritima ‘Morning Star White’, Calamagrostis ‘Glenorchy Fireworks’ and Cornus kousa ‘Cappuccino’ are hardy choices well suited to the urban environment.
May Starey19/28Fettercairn: The Angels' Share by May Starey, Balcony Garden
The Angels’ Share is the whisky-maker’s term for what’s lost to evaporation as the spirit ages in the cask – a small amount, surrendered to the air. It’s a quietly poetic idea, and May Starey has built a whole garden around it. A vertical stream cascades over copper and onto reclaimed cask wood before pooling beside the seating area and recirculating, tracing the journey from still to barrel. The planting moves from grassland to woodland, mirroring Fettercairn’s home in the foothills of the Cairngorms, and has been chosen with real care for native pollinators: silver birch for the rare Kentish glory moth, yellow flag iris for bees and dragonfly larvae, globeflower for the specialised Chiastocheta fly. The furniture is modular, designed equally for sitting alone or gathering with others. After the show, the whole garden moves to the Fettercairn Distillery, where it will be open to visitors.
Lynn James20/28The Seasalt Painted Garden by Lynn James
The St Ives School – Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Patrick Heron, Peter Lanyon – put a Cornish fishing village on the map of 20th-century art, and it’s their spirit that Lynn James has drawn on here. The planting feels very west Cornwall: dark Aeonium rosettes, architectural Angelica, bright red wild poppies. The filing cabinets repurposed as plant containers are a nice touch – a reference to the resourcefulness the artists showed during wartime shortages, and the kind of idea you might actually steal for your own garden. A newly commissioned sculpture brings it into the present, and the clay pavers are made by The Leach Pottery in St Ives, where the garden will be relocated after the show.
Ollie Pike21/28MM
The Whittard of Chelsea Garden by Ollie Pike
The starting point here is a small London courtyard belonging to a committed, slightly eccentric tea enthusiast – someone who has accumulated an eclectic mix of containers over the years and repurposed them into planters. It’s a charming conceit, and Ollie Pike runs with it. Copper pipes wind through the space carrying water in graceful streams, a nod to the ritual of pouring tea, and the planting is built around species that actually feature in Whittard’s infusions: Camellia sinensis, fragrant Rosa ‘Our Beth’, Aquilegia, the river birch whose spring leaves can be brewed. London Pride makes an appearance too, its wartime associations quietly apt for a brand marking 140 years. Almost every material is reclaimed or repurposed, from the Yorkstone paving to the walling brickwork. The garden will be donated to a community centre after the show.
Tina Worboys22/28Alzheimer's Society: Microbes and Minds Garden by Tina Worboys
The inspiration for this garden came from the abundant orchards around designer Tina Worboys’ home in Worcestershire. ‘I’ve also become increasingly interested and aware of the importance of the gut microbiome on our health and how to feed and nurture it, through diet, proximity to nature and the gut-brain connection,’ she adds. Here, the two come together in a garden that tells the story of apple cider vinegar and its health benefits. An apple tree stands at the centre, symbolising The Mother (the culture of beneficial bacteria), beside a gently bubbling water feature to represent the process of fermentation. These are enveloped by curbed sculptures based on amber glass bottles and naturalistic planting featuring forget-me-nots (the emblem of the Alzheimer’s society), calming chamomile, cow parsley and chives, which are traditionally planted beneath apple trees to deter pests. After the show, the garden will be relocated to a Hallmark Luxury Care Home.
Viking by Katerina Kantalis23/28A Little Garden of Shared Knowledge sponsored by Viking by Katerina Kantalis
Gardening in a significantly smaller space after downsizing can be a challenge, but here Australian designer Katerina Kantalis shows just how creative the process can be. Designed with a recently retired couple in mind, this balcony garden is a nurturing and inspiring space where they can share their love of travel, the arts and horticulture with family and friends. The plants chosen are resilient and adaptable to allow the garden to thrive year-round, including drought-tolerant perennials, evergreen shrubs, dwarf edibles bred for compact growth and nasturtiums as a natural pest deterrent and pollinator magnet. There is a subtle nod to Katerina’s Greek heritage, too, with Vitis vinifera (grapevine).
Christina Cobb24/28ALL ABOUT PLANTS
Cleary Gottlieb: Time for Creativity by Christina Cobb
With so much discussion around screen time and the distractions it can bring, Christina Cobb’s garden – created in partnership with National Literacy Trust – is a timely reminder to make space for other hobbies and interests. At the entrance is a walk-through glasshouse filled with books, paints, papers and textiles to choose from, before a path leads to a quiet seating area. Like all the gardens in this category, the focus is on the planting, which here sees statements trees such as European beech and field maple combined with perennials and annuals chosen for their colour – greens and whites at the entrance and stronger jewel tones beyond – along with their abundance of flowers and attractiveness to pollinators and birds. Christina was awarded a Silver-gilt medal for her Balcony garden at RHS Chelsea in 2023.
Melanie Hick25/28The Bat Conservation Trust's Nocturnal Garden by Melanie Hick
Most gardens are designed around how we use them, which means they're essentially switched off by the time we go inside. Melanie Hick’s garden for the Bat Conservation Trust makes the case for thinking beyond that. Planted with hedgerow classics like hawthorn and elder, night-scented stock and a golden acer that seems almost luminous in low light, it’s a garden that comes into its own after dark, when Britain’s 18 resident bat species are out hunting the insects these plants attract. A bat-wing sculpture by artist Tach Pollard anchors the space, and the rear wall is built from fallen timber milled to become bat boxes once the garden is dismantled. The Tacca chantrieri at the entrance – a wonderfully strange plant that actually looks like a bat – is there to start conversations. After the show, the garden moves to Clydach Community Gardens in Swansea.
Charlie Chase26/28YoungMinds Garden by Charlie Chase
For his Chelsea Flower Show debut, south London-based garden designer Charlie Chase has teamed up with YoungMinds to conceive of a garden that nurtures the development of young adults in the UK – both in how the garden is created (Charlie invited a team of six budding designers to Sussex help him with the design and build of the garden) as well as through the spaces and plants within the garden. A mixture of drought-tolerant plants and shade-loving varieties symbolise the diverse experiences of growing up and the challenges that come with it, while yellow-flowered plants represent light and hope. After the flower show the garden will be transported to a new community garden Newham, where it will become the basis of a new space that promotes togetherness and bi odiversity.
Sally-Anne Rees,Kate Campbell and William Murray27/28The Plant Heritage Missing Collector Garden by The Planting Design Collective, made up of Sally-Anne Rees, Kate Campbell and William Murray
Having met while studying at the London College of Garden Design, Sally-Anne Rees, Kate Campbell and William Murray joined forces in 2024, when their ‘Planting Design Collective’ made its debut at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival. This year, at Chelsea, they are partnering with Plant Heritage, which works to protect cultivated plants for the future. Inspired by the Missing Collections campaign, they came up with the idea of a mysterious plant enthusiast who has left behind an extraordinary collection. The garden showcases this imagined botanical archive, featuring cultivars of Thalictrum, Polypodium and Aspidistra alongside ‘missing’ plants (those without a current National Plant Collection holder) like Verbascum, Deschampsia, and Aquilegia. The display is just as creative as the concept behind it, with stone drawers that mimic museum cases, stone pillars resembling stacked reference books, and an unoccupied chair that invites us all to take our place as The Missing Collector.
Ashleigh Aylett28/28Woodland Trust: Forgotten Forests Garden by Ashleigh Aylett
Showcasing the work of another vital wildlife conservation charity, Ashleigh Aylett has created a powerful space that echoes the transformation of damaged woodland, from a regimented conifer forest into a thriving habitat. Ancient woodland indicator species will be set against a green backdrop, with brighter accents from the likes of red campion and dog rose. Since beginning her horticultural career in 2022, training under Emily Erlam and John Davies, Ashleigh has won Gold medals at RHS Tatton and Chelsea, and was the first to be named RHS Young Designer of the Year and go on to win a best-in-category at Chelsea the very next year. So we can expect great things from her All About Plants garden this year, which will later be relocated to Hawthorn Primary School in Newcastle upon Tyne.
