The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 has once again showcased a dynamic blend of tradition and innovation, presenting gardens that not only dazzle visually but also highlight environmental consciousness, technological advancement, and a deeper connection to nature.
From climate-resilient planting and marine biodiversity to smart tech that communicates with trees, the designs reflected a growing shift in how outdoor spaces are imagined, designed, and nurtured.
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Highlights from RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
Cha No Niwa – Japanese Tea Garden
Designed by Kazuyuki Ishihara, this tranquil garden celebrated traditional Japanese landscaping. Featuring raked gravel, moss mounds and tonal Acer trees, the space offered a serene moment for quiet reflection. The planting included species native to Japanese satoyama (countryside), such as Acer palmatum, Iris, and Sedum. Awarded a Gold medal, the garden blended precision with peacefulness, embodying the concept of ‘living art’.
Avanade Intelligent Garden
Blending horticulture with cutting-edge technology, this gold medal-winning garden by Tom Massey and Je Ahn explored how smart sensors and AI can support tree health and sustainability. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, the garden demonstrated how tech could interpret environmental data—tracking growth, water use, soil condition, and weather—to offer tailored care. A futuristic look at how urban green spaces may evolve to meet climate challenges.
The Addleshaw Goddard Freedom To Flourish Garden
This contemplative, rewilded landscape by Joe and Laura Carey encouraged a slower pace of life. Inspired by Norfolk’s coastline and wildflower meadows, the naturalistic design featured layered gabions reminiscent of eroding cliffs. The garden’s message—“nature is never in a hurry, yet everything is accomplished”—stood as a timely reminder of the importance of rest and stillness in both nature and life.
Hospitalfield Arts Garden
Designed by Nigel Dunnett, this garden took inspiration from the windswept sand dunes of Arbroath on Scotland’s east coast. Coastal pines, Tamarix, and drought-tolerant grasses formed the foundation of a resilient planting scheme adapted to poorer soils and extreme conditions. The display promoted sustainable gardening through the use of sand and gravel, rather than nutrient-rich topsoil, encouraging water-wise and low-maintenance planting.
The Seawilding Garden
A first for RHS Chelsea, this garden included live seagrass as a focal point—a marine plant essential to ocean biodiversity. Designed by Ryan McMahon, the coastal-inspired space featured species native to Loch Craignish and celebrated efforts to restore underwater ecosystems. The garden spotlighted the importance of marine flora in carbon capture and habitat building, serving as an educational tool as well as a visual statement.
Other showstopping moments
Highlights across the grounds included playful water features, dog-friendly design ideas, and creative alternatives to traditional hanging baskets. Visitors also enjoyed a sense of community among passionate garden lovers, designers, and even a few recognisable faces from television and public life.
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The 2025 edition of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show reflected a growing interest in sustainability, biodiversity, and mindful living. With themes that encourage slowing down, embracing imperfection, and looking to both the sea and the sky for inspiration, this year’s show marked a thoughtful evolution in garden design—and a hopeful one for the future of green spaces.
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Featured Image: Getty
