RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 – Including Tips for a Great Experience

Wow – my first time at Chelsea and I had a fabulous day! From stepping through the gate I was engrossed in the spectacle that is the most revered of all flower shows, but before I move on to the show, here are a few tips for future visits (as I ran out of time!)

Prepare by researching the show garden themes, the experience will be more meaningful when you’re standing in front of them
Plan the day and stick to it – sounds pretty obvious but despite having a plan, I was rather over-awed and missed a few ‘must sees’
Travel light – a small ruck sack is ideal
Arrive early – don’t under-estimate the travel time through London if you’re not a local, it’s a precious day and you won’t want to waste a minute!
Take a notebook and pen – for all those plants you’ll be coveting, you may not be able to get hold of plant lists
Orientate yourself on arrival, as well as the show content it’s also useful to familiarise yourself with the whereabouts of catering, loos and seating facilities.
Be prepared and check the weather forecast
Footwear – comfort over glamour is essential
Plants are not for sale at Chelsea unless you’re there on the last day, so take note of the suppliers contact info
Charge your phone/camera!

The theme this year is the ‘restorative power of gardens and gardening‘, one I’m sure we can all relate to and the gardens certainly rose to the challenge. There was a general air of calm and peacefulness in all the gardens, several of which dealt sympathetically with some very delicate subject matter.

*The Nurture Landscapes Garden designed by Sarah Price – Gold Medal*

Inspired by Cedric Benton’s love of irises, this garden really draws the onlooker in with its use of warm and inviting colours, which really appealed to me. Benton irises are used aplenty and are complimented by the sandstone paths and features. Of all the show gardens, this is the one I felt could have been there forever, a mature and elegant space.

*Myeloma UK – A Life Worth Living Garden designed by Chris Beardshaw – Gold Medal*

What can I say – Chris Beardsmore’s calm and tranquil garden, People’s Choice once again. I spent quite a lot of time contemplating this serene garden with its lush greenness and understated colour, wonderful.

*Samaritans’ Listening Garden designed by Darren Hawkes* – *Silver-gilt*

An interesting concept underpins this garden, leading its visitors through ‘rough terrain’ to a calmer and easier to traverse environment and therefore representing the journey users of the Samaritans take to find help. I found this garden to be extremely imaginative – at first glance and with no understanding of its purpose, the concrete blocks are unappealing, but step into the story and all is revealed.

*Memoria & GreenAcres Transcendence Garden designed by Gavin McWilliam and Andrew Wilson* – *Silver-gilt*

Providing a safe place for reflection, this garden represents the peaceful environment needed for contemplating and talking about end of life wishes. This must have been so difficult to realise – a sensitive and often taboo subject. I felt the design and planting translated well into a feeling of a journey being embarked upon along with tinges of sadness.

*The Biophilic Garden Otsu – Hanare designed by Kazuyuki Ishihara* – *Gold*

Biophilia is the innate connection between human beings and other living things. Kazuyuki Ishihara’s garden is conceptually biophilic with its ‘hanare’ facilitating a close relationship with nature (in Japan this is a dwelling separated from the main house and is associated with healing). I love this garden, it really is a fine example of ‘less is more’.

*The RBC Brewin Dolphin Garden designed by Paul Hervey-Brookes – Silver-Gilt*

Paul Hervey-Brookes has created a modern, biodiverse garden representing the passing of knowledge from older to younger generations of families. I found walking along the pathways this garden very welcoming and could easily imagine it bringing family members of all ages to enjoy it together – a cohesive and relaxing space.

*Cavernoma On My Mind designed by Taina Suonio and Anne Hamilton – Silver*

Representing the life of people with cavernoma, a neurological condition characterised by raspberry like clusters of abnormal blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord, ‘Cavernoma On My Mind‘ portrays the day to day life of sufferers. Again, very imaginative and thought provoking.

*The RSPCA Garden designed by Martyn Wilson – Silver-Gilt*

As one would expect from the RSPCA, this modern plant filled garden depicts a modern wildlife sanctuary with native trees, flowers to attract pollinating insects, nesting boxes and hotels for bees and bugs. A riot of floral treats, I loved it.