Show Stoppers

Drought-tolerant species and a global outlook were the big winners at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

- Janna Schreier

The Chelsea Flower Show in London is a glittering highlight on the international gardening calendar, and for good reason. Presented by the Royal Horticultural Society, the prestigious show brings together world-renowned garden designers, specialist plant growers and trade exhibitors in a showcase of the best in horticultural excellence and innovation.

Wellbeing was a key theme of this year’s show, as evidenced by the RHS Feel Good Garden, a vista of vibrant perennials and evergreen mounding plants designed by Matt Keightley. Visitors were invited to wander through this show garden – not usually permitted at Chelsea – to breathe in the fragrance of the flowers, run their hands through the grasses and experience the restorative power of plants and green space.

Best in Show was awarded to the Morgan Stanley Garden (pictured on these pages), designed by veteran Chelsea participant Chris Beardshaw. The evocative woodland garden, which also won a gold medal, was created to raise awareness of the work of the UK child-protection agency NSPCC.