Gardens with purpose: Reflections from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the most recognised and celebrated events in the horticultural calendar, bringing together world-leading garden design, innovation, environmental thinking and creativity. Through the Purpose Lab’s partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, students had the opportunity to experience the show first-hand, gaining insight into a sector that is often seen as traditional, specialist or difficult to access.
At the heart of the partnership is a shared ambition to open up horticulture to a wider range of people, both as a potential career path and as a hobby that can support wellbeing, creativity and connection to nature. The reflections below capture how students responded to the experience - from seeing the craft and care behind the gardens, to exploring sustainability, biodiversity, climate resilience and the role of green space in building stronger communities.
Rafe Wiltshire – University of Southampton and Purpose Lab Student Ambassador
My experience at the RHS Royal Chelsea flower show was amazing.
It started with a tour where I had exclusive access to some of the gardens that let us walk onto them and embrace them to there full capacity. It was also great to talk first hand to some of the people involved in their creation. I was particularly impressed at the attention to detail with the gardens, each plant species and position seemed consciously chosen for not only an artistic effect but also to make statements surrounding cultures, the climate or charities.
I also enjoyed talking to some of the researchers within tent, who were celebrating technologies that could be used for horticulture/ecology. They were very friendly and open to explaining their research and also curious to listen to me and my own experiences. Also in the tent, I purchased a Horta plant for me and my girlfriend to look after. The seller was open to answering my questions about caring for the plant and encouraged me to pick out the best one! Despite lots of the event featuring expensive and premium brands, this was at an affordable price and many of the plant vendors had a lot of great deals on their products.
Overall I had a great time at the flower show and would definitely return. It changed my perspective on horticulture as a whole by highlighting just how mindfully the gardens are created.
Aranija Sakthythasan – University of Chester and Purpose Lab Student Ambassador
Attending the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as a Purpose Lab ambassador was an inspiring experience.
It provided an opportunity to observe how garden design can transcend aesthetics to communicate significant narratives about sustainability, community, wellbeing, and our relationship with the natural environment.
One of the gardens I toured was The Tate Britain Garden, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith. I found this garden particularly compelling because it deliberately integrated art, nature, and community, drawing inspiration from East Asian woodlands. A notable detail was the use of sustainable materials in the furniture and design features. The benches were constructed from low-carbon concrete using materials sourced from the existing Tate Garden. Learning about the incorporation of recycled materials, including shells from food waste, demonstrated that sustainability can be embedded not only through planting but also through the built elements of a space. This prompted me to consider how even minor design choices can reduce waste and promote environmentally beneficial practices.
The tour deepened my understanding of how climate change is influencing horticulture. As weather patterns become less predictable, garden designers must carefully select plants that can withstand changing conditions, such as hotter, drier periods and heavier rainfall. This highlighted the importance of choosing resilient, drought-tolerant plants, as gardens must be both aesthetically pleasing and flexible to future environmental challenges.
I also visited The Campaign to Protect Rural England Garden: “On the Edge.” This garden emphasised the importance of protecting rural landscapes, particularly the often-overlooked green spaces on the edges of towns and cities. Although these areas are sometimes undervalued, they play an important role in connecting people with nature in their daily lives. This theme is connected with the Purpose Coalition’s broader focus on place, opportunity, and stronger communities, as access to green space considerably contributes to wellbeing and quality of life.
Overall, visiting the Chelsea Flower Show offered an opportunity for learning and reflection. It demonstrated that gardens are more than decorative spaces; they can support wellbeing, protect biodiversity, foster dialogue, and help individuals feel more connected to their surroundings.
Muhammed Ali – Teesside University and Purpose Lab Student Ambassador
The Chelsea Flower Show was an enjoyable experience overall.
Before attending, I expected it to feel quite traditional, but I was surprised by how creative, modern, and visually engaging everything was.
I spent a lot of time exploring the different displays and gardens, and I also bought quite a few seeds and flowers for my family, which made the experience feel more personal as well.
One of the most valuable parts of the day was being able to network and speak with different people throughout the event. It was interesting seeing how brands and organisations presented themselves and created experiences that attracted such large audiences. The atmosphere felt very high-level but still welcoming.
Keziah Watts – Bath Spa University
Attending the Chelsea Flower Show a few weeks ago was an inspiring and memorable experience from the moment I arrived until I left several hours later. I was struck by the creativity, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that went into every garden and floral display. The atmosphere was also vibrant, with all sorts of visitors from all over the world coming together to celebrate such a wonderful event.
One of the highlights of the show was exploring the show gardens, each with its own unique story and vision. The designers combined beautiful planting schemes with thoughtful landscaping to create spaces that were both visually stunning and environmentally conscious. I was particularly impressed by the emphasis on sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience, themes that were woven throughout many of the exhibits.
The Great Pavilion was another standout feature. Filled with extraordinary floral displays and rare plants that I had never heard of, it offered endless opportunities to learn about different species and growing techniques. The quality of the exhibits was exceptional, and it was fascinating to speak with growers and owners of stalls who shared their knowledge and passion for gardening. A particular favourite was one of the award-winning stands which had a beautiful South African theme, there was beauty everywhere you looked.
Beyond the gardens themselves, the event provided a wonderful opportunity to gather ideas and inspiration for my future garden and I left with plenty of new concepts to explore.
Overall, the Chelsea Flower Show was a celebration of nature, creativity, and community, and it reinforced my appreciation for the power of gardens to bring beauty and wellbeing into our lives.
Sahildeep Singh – Birmingham City University
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show was quite welcoming, even if you've never gardened before. The displays are designed to inspire and impress everyone, not just gardening experts. Overall, most visitors can find something to enjoy regardless of their background or experience.
