In the horticultural sphere at Chelsea this season, a potential decline in weed presence could be observed. However, the formal structure of the gardens remains intact and has been maintained with unwavering tradition.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 Embraces Sustainability and Innovation

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 showcased a array of stunning and thought-provoking garden designs, each demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and innovation.

One standout design was Thomas Clarke's Balcony and Container Gardens for Children with Cancer UK, which used more than 80% salvaged and repurposed materials. The garden was a testament to the creative possibilities of upcycling, with a variety of containers transformed into vibrant planters.

Another noteworthy garden was Tom Massey and Je Ahn's The WaterAid Garden and Naomi Slade and Ed Barsley's Flood Re: The Flood Resilient Garden, both of which integrated water management creatively. The WaterAid Garden featured a rainwater harvesting system, while the Flood Re garden showcased innovative solutions for managing water in flood-prone areas.

Permaculture principles were evident throughout the show, with a new generation of designers focusing on this practice despite its counterculture associations. The Pulp Friction Growing Skills Garden, for example, followed principles of forest gardening, while Miria Harris's The Stoke Association Garden used crushed old concrete blocks for pathways and wood chips from a fallen ash tree for seating.

Several gardens aimed to counteract loss of biodiversity by incorporating a variety of plants to attract and support wildlife. Tsuyako Asada's silver gilt-winning design for Tomie's Cuisine the Nobonsai balcony garden included a planted gutter that allowed for water to filter through to a water tank, providing a habitat for aquatic life.

Climate uncertainty and extremes were also addressed by some gardens, which sculpted the landscape to direct water and create opportunities for damp or dry loving plants. The RHS No Adults Allowed garden, for instance, featured the Chinese fringe tree, Chionanthus retusus, which is known for its resilience in a range of climates.

The National Autistic Society Garden, designed by Tom Massey and Matthew Childs, contained black birch, Betula nigra, and bog myrtle, Myrica gale, both of which are known for their calming aroma. The garden also featured a cantilevered pergola made from wood chips from a fallen ash tree.

The show gardens were all gardens (as opposed to landscapes) this year, featuring themes of trees, winding paths, changing levels, flowing water, and places to sit. Ula Maria's garden for Muscular Dystrophy UK planted trees to the very margins of her show garden footprint, creating a serene and woodland feel.

Finally, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 saw an abundance of weeds, rebranded as star plants, showcasing the beauty and potential of even the most overlooked flora. The show was a celebration of creativity, sustainability, and innovation, and a testament to the power of gardening to bring people together and inspire positive change.