MADE IN CHELSEA

All tied up

The RHS Sustainable Product of the Year Award will showcase 10 of the best environmentally friendly gardening products. We like twool’s British made Sustainable Tree & Shrub Tie, a finalist to look out for. Produced using wool from rare breed Whiteface Dartmoor sheep, this handy twine is a biodegradable alternative to plastic covered gardener’s wire. Natural yet strong and durable, it’s ideal for stringing garden canes together or staking tall shrubs.

THE REALLY WILD SHOW

This year Chelsea’s gardens are teeming with wildlife-friendly inspiration. Designers have embraced relaxed planting, skilfully blending common and rare native species to promote biodiversity. The essence of the countryside features prominently, with a trend towards the sweeping textures of wildflower meadows, lush woodlands and blossoming hedgerows. Look out for Howard and Hugh Miller’s Alder Hey Urban Foraging Station Garden which is likely to draw the crowds with its ‘dream-like’ shades inspired by apple blossom.

The queen of roses

David Austin Roses will be showcasing their exquisite new ‘Elizabeth’ (Ausmajesty) shrub rose inside the Great Pavilion. This glorious addition to their range will fittingly mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. ‘Elizabeth’ is a suburb rose that combines fragrance with continuous flowering. It bears large clusters of rosettes with delicate golden apricot centres, and petals that gently change from soft pink to blush white. With a bouquet that hints of lemon sherbet and Old Rose, ‘Elizabeth’ is ideal for borders or containers.

all things bright and beautiful

The Morris & Co. Garden will reimagine two of the designer’s iconic patterns reflecting his passion for colour and nature. Featuring earthy reds, apricots and blue, the garden will include plants from Morris’s designs, along with cottage garden favourites that will also leave a legacy. Many of its plants will be used to seed several new community gardens in Islington.

MADE IN CHELSEA

BIGGER, BETTER AND BACK TO ITS USUAL MAY CALENDAR SPOT, THIS YEAR’S RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW IS HOTLY ANTICIPATED. WITH MORE THAN 30 GARDEN DESIGNS, FABULOUS FLORAL DISPLAYS AND SHOPPING GALORE, GREENFINGERED ENTHUSIASTS ARE IN FOR A TREAT. HERE’S OUR PICK OF THE BEST FROM CHELSEA 2022

WORDS: NICOLA CLEMENTS

Inside scoop

Chelsea’s hugely popular House Plant Studios launched last year and makes a return in 2022. Six stylists will each transform an indoor garden room into a stunning studio brimming with the latest houseplant trends. Happy Houseplants’ Plant Clinic will encourage visitors to escape the everyday with their clever showcase of wellbeing-inspired foliage. There will be plenty of inspiration for novice and expert houseplant enthusiasts alike.

Alder Hey Urban Foraging Station