The RHS’ ‘Your Space, Your Story’ theme for 2025, which celebrates the individuality of all gardeners and how gardens can bring to life our greatest loves, is taking centre stage at the world’s most famous gardening event this May.
From art to food, socialising to wildlife, from our pets to our children, RHS Chelsea Flower Show will demonstrate how gardens can become the most amazing places to tell stories about the people, pets and pursuits that matter most to us in our lives.
The RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden designed by Monty Don is simply a celebration of our deep love of dogs and the gardens that we share with them. The garden is both an exemplar of all the things that dogs love regardless of horticultural fashion and a beautiful space that any dog owner would love. At its centre is a lawn, essential for canine sprawling, sleeping, rolling, flopping, itching and chasing balls.
The ADHD Foundation Garden, was inspired by designer Katy Terry’s own ADHD diagnosis, and reflects her personal journey. The design is ‘modern formal’, with whimsical and relaxed planting arrangements amongst topiary. The plant selection has been chosen to provide a subliminal effect on the senses, inducing a sense of calm and rest from an overactive mind.
For people passionate about the environment and tech enthusiasts, The Avanade Intelligent Garden, an urban forest garden designed to support urban trees – focuses on combating climate change and creating more hospitable living conditions in cities. Designed by Tom Massey and Je Ahn, this garden is equipped with sensors that track tree health – monitoring growth, sap flow, soil conditions, air quality, and weather patterns. AI analyses this data, spotting trends and predicting future conditions to provide simple, actionable advice.
The Hospitalfield Arts Garden, designed by Nigel Dunnett, which takes its inspiration from the location of Hospitalfield Arts on the east coast of Scotland, has a strong sense of place: a sculptural and abstract representation of this natural habitat, with a focus on dramatic dune topography and evocative, resilient coastal planting. Not only the setting for art practice, it is also a place in which artists can garden. A place for both quiet contemplation and for group activities, performance, teaching and events.
A restorative retreat for parents and caregivers of patients in hospital, Room to Breathe Hospital Garden for the TSA is a restorative retreat for parents and caregivers of patients in hospital, the garden offers solace in nature, helping them recharge and face the challenges of caregiving with renewed energy. Designed by Jen Donnelly and Catherine Gibbon, a cocoon-like feature chair cradles caregivers, offering a warm embrace and a sense of security.
‘Your Space, Your Story’ continues into the Great Pavilion with expert growers and nurseries displaying plants to suit any kind of gardener. First time RHS Chelsea exhibitors Architectural Plants will be bringing a selection of bold, sculptural plants for those who love a bit of drama whilst English Sweet Peas will be displaying 4,000 sweet peas for understated elegance that can be enjoyed both in the garden and as cut flowers. For fruit and flower lovers, Franks P Matthews will be exhibiting over 40 varieties of apple tree that can suit gardens big and small and for the romantic at heart, new and classic roses can be expected from expert rose growers David Austin, Peater Beales and more.
RHS Director General, Clare Matterson CBE, says: “This year’s RHS Chelsea demonstrates how powerful our gardens can be to tell the stories of our lives and celebrate the things we really care about.
“We’re on a mission to bring everyone some joy through gardening and our Dog Garden is a simple way to bring to life our love of dogs and gardens and it has gripped the imagination of the nation.
“The vital roles gardens can play as part of our heritage, our enjoyment today and securing a better future should be greatly valued. We’re sure there will be something for every gardener and all their different plant passions and interests at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.”
Other Gardens that are part of the theme include The London Square Chelsea Pensioners Garden, an accessible and secluded space inspired by past experiences of the Chelsea Pensioners where different generations can come together; MS Amlin Peace of Mind Garden which uses the psychology of colour and colour therapy with plants and the positive impact they have on wellbeing; and Navium Marine: Blue Mind Garden, a balcony garden to reflect on our connections to the sea, which uses water to create a restorative space to be calm.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from 20 to 24 May 2025 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, more information and tickets available from rhs.org.uk/chelsea
