Recreate the Magic of the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show in Your Own Garden
Feeling inspired by the top show gardens at Chelsea? Recreating these stunning displays at home is easier than you might think. Here’s how you can bring a touch of Chelsea magic to your garden using a few plants readily available from a garden center.
Urban Haven at Home
To create your own urban haven, focus on vertical gardening. Invest in climbing plants like ivy or clematis and arrange them on trellises or walls. Pair these with potted ferns and shade-loving perennials like hostas to achieve that lush, layered look. Don’t forget to incorporate a comfortable seating area with sustainable materials to complete the urban retreat vibe.
Eco Tranquility in Your Environment
For a sustainable garden, select plants that are drought-tolerant and require minimal maintenance. Lavender, rosemary, and succulents are perfect choices. Group these plants together for an effortless, cohesive look. Incorporate features like a rainwater collection system or a drip irrigation setup to further promote sustainability in your garden.
Global Palette in Your Garden
To bring the “Global Palette” theme to your garden, choose a variety of plants from different regions. Consider a Japanese maple (Acer) for beautiful foliage, an bay tree for Mediterranean flair, and vibrant proteas for a touch of the exotic. Use these plants as focal points and surround them with complementary flora to create a harmonious and diverse landscape.
Bernies’ Highlights from the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show Gardens
1. The Glasshouse Garden by Jo Thompson
Jo Thompson’s design featured a harmonious blend of deep reds, muted pinks, and soft peaches, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere.
Key Plants:
- Rosa ‘Tuscany Superb’: A fragrant Gallica rose with deep crimson-maroon flowers.
- Rosa ‘Emma Bridgewater’: The newest David Austin rose with full, baby-pink blooms.
At-Home Tips:
- Planting: Position roses in well-drained soil with full sun exposure.
- Care: Regular deadheading and feeding will encourage continuous blooms.
2. The Garden of the Future by Matthew Butler & Josh Parker
This garden focused on climate resilience, featuring plants like sweet potatoes and chickpeas, highlighting the importance of sustainable food sources.
Key Plants:
- Ipomoea batatas (Sweet Potato): A drought-resistant crop suitable for UK gardens.
- Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn hedging): This provides a valuable food and shelter source for native pollinators and wildlife.
At-Home Tips:
- Planting: Grow sweet potatoes in well-drained, sandy loam in full sun.
- Companion Planting: Pair Hawthorn with other hedging shrubs such as beech to create a living screen for your garden.
3. The Seawilding Garden by Ryan McMahon
This garden was inspired by the Scottish coastal landscape and emphasises the beauty and sustainability of the low maintenance look.
- Alpines: Low growing and used to wild environments these plants are the perfect addition to create a rockery area.
- Heather: A shrub known for its pink or yellow spears in the summer, it’s hardy and resilient.
At-Home Tips:
- Planting: Incorporate these plants into a coastal garden design with added horticultural grit for drainage.
- Maintenance: Leave it alone! This kind of scheme is very low maintenance and thrives when it’s given the opportunity to grow as it does in the wild.
Other Plant Suggestions for Your Garden
- David Austin Roses: Known for their beauty and fragrance, these roses are a staple in many Chelsea show gardens.
- Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily): A hardy flower blooming from May until the first frost, perfect for adding vibrant colors.
- Salvia: A pollinator friendly fragrant plant with red and purple flower spike varieties, ideal for containers.
- Agapanthus: Striking flowers that thrive in sunny spots, adding architectural interest to the garden.