The RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year is a case in evolution, not revolution. There is an ongoing pull towards naturalistic plant schemes that are more rooted in meadow and woodland than the manicured show gardens we associate with Chelsea. There are some traditional designs, such as Richard Miers’s stunning The Perennial Garden “With Love”, but there are also spaces that are deeply rooted within the wild landscape, such as A Rewilding Britain Landscape by Lulu Urquhart, Adam Hunt, or Medite Smartply “Building the Future” by Sarah Eberle. There are also gardens that emphasize the importance of nature, such as the BBC Studios Our Green Planet and RHS Bee Garden designed by Joe Swift and The New Blue Peter Garden- Discover Soil designed by Juliet Sargeant. Three reasons are behind this trend. The RHS is pushing for action on the myriad problems facing the planet, including climate change, habitat loss, and freefalling pollinator population. They encourage gardens that tell these stories, and offer solutions. READ MOREDon’t miss out on your Chelsea Flower Show tickets Get your floral fix at fringe events throughout LondonRHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020: full list of award-winning gardens revealedThe top London gardeners, activists, and creators to follow on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms. As urban populations grow and life becomes more stressful, it is important for us to feel the pull of nature more acutely. The aesthetics are also important. The straitened times can make flashy, vulgar gardens seem a little too crass and vulgar. Nature-inspired, wilder plants offer a consoling sense that nature is beautiful. They are a reminder of the important things in life and a place that is happy and relaxed. This contributes to our overall wellbeing. They are also much easier to achieve. Although it takes a lot of effort to put together show gardens on a patch Chelsea grass, it’s worth it for anyone who has a neglected garden. With ‘weeds’ such as nettles cropping up in show gardens, we can happily embrace our own scruffy plots as shining beacons of biodiversity.Laid-back layoutsThe Mind Garden by Andy Sturgeon / Kate JacobsPerhaps as a way to make our outdoor spaces more immersive and experiential, many of this year’s Chelsea show gardens have ditched straight lines and symmetry for curvy borders and meandering paths. Many of the garden structures and seating are also amorphous and sculptural. If you have a lawn, make some curves and let your borders run wild. Variegated and ariods like philodendrons and anthuriums are in fashion right now. Meanwhile, houseplants can be hung in stoneware spheres or micro terrariums to show that there is always room for more. Garden designers can only rely on a few specialist nurseries to supply their plants. Fashion designers often visit the same suppliers for textiles and notice the same colours. Sometimes several designers fall for the same enchanting patch of tangerine Geums. Some colours and forms are just right for the time, so it’s not uncommon for several designers to fall in love with the same tangerine Geums. This trend can be bought in its simplest form with a few Corten-effect pots. These compact spaces are bursting with personality. This section will help you learn which plants can thrive in wind-battered high rises and how to pack more plants, overhead, and underfoot. Offbeat tones Morris & Co. by Ruth Willmott / Kate JacobsWhile there is a general acceptance of any colour, designers love to experiment with new and unusual palettes. There are many bright, vibrant blues this year. Also, there are layered terracotta and apricot tones like ‘Clementine’ and ‘Helen Johnson’. This is possibly the most outstanding plant at Chelsea ’22. You’ll also find a lot of intense clarets and purples, via opium poppies and roses, as well as layered terracotta tones such as ‘Clementine’ and ‘Helen Johnson’. You can save water and time by using large containers. They are also more difficult to get from front gardens. Multi-story The Perennial Garden “With Love” by Richard Miers / Kate JacobsMultistem trees are now a requirement at Chelsea. These sculptural beauties will make any small garden stand out and draw attention away from the boundary fences. Many people have discovered the joy of growing an edible, especially since the Covid lockdowns. Many of the 2022 gardens tap into this idea. There are nut trees in hedges and lettuce and strawberries tucked among the ornamentals. This year’s show also demonstrated that you don’t need a plot to grow your own vegetables. There’s plenty of inspiration, from the Alder Hey Urban Foraging Station designed by Howard Miller, Hugh Miller, and The Potting Balcony Garden designed by William Murray. There’s a lot to be inspired by, from the Alder Hey Urban Foraging Station, designed by Howard Miller and Hugh Miller, to the Potting Balcony Garden, designed by William Murray. Fluffy fennel leaves and the trembling seeds heads of grasses such as Melica uniflora F. albida gave gardens a dreamy, dreamy feel. To tap into this vibe, you can place these plants in gaps in your garden. Hands Off Mangrove by Grow2Know designed by Tayshanhayden-Smith & Danny Clarke seeks to create a sanctuary where communities can connect with one another. After the show ends on Saturday, May 28, both will be reinstalled into new homes. RHS Chelsea 2022’s naturalistic and “anything goes” approach to horticulture should inspire us all. We are encouraged to get out there and try it. Kate Jacobs, @thesegrowingthings
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