A Natural Show-stopper

'WEEDS AND WELL-BEING' TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT CHELSEA

Back in April, Chelsea's popular annual flower show, which returns this week (22nd -27th May 2023) was already inadvertently making news. Such was the media pick-up around the disclosure that this year 'weeds', rebranded as 'hero plants,' would be welcome, that the RHS hurriedly put out a press release. This included updates on their current 'biodiversity journey' such as cancelling their branded licencing of weed killer and slug pellets two years ago and a link to their overall 'Sustainability Strategy' with a suitable quote from, none other, than RHS President, Keith 'Weed'!

"We are now painfully aware that we face a climate and biodiversity crisis, and that every effort counts. The RHS is in a unique position to harness its science, reputation and reach to help address this in a positive way."

It was Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) who first wrote: "What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered." Although it has taken over 100 years since Chelsea's inaugural show, for garden designers to acknowledge that 'weeds and wildflowers' are full of benefits for biodiversity, last year's winners of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show's coveted prize were Lulu Urquhart and Adam Hunt with their entry called 'A Rewilding Britain Landscape' .

One of the garden designs including weeds this year is by Cleve West for the charity 'Centrepoint' which takes its' inspiration from a derelict Victorian garden. We're told that stinging nettles and field bindweed will be apparent, whilst elsewhere, in other gardens, 'wild flowers' such as cow parsley, dandelion, clover, knapweed, brambles and thistles are set to make an appearance. Meanwhile, The Royal Entomological Society Garden, designed by Tom Massey will contain an 'insect laboratory' studying the number and variety of insects that visit the garden (projected on a large screen for visitors), to gain insight into the biodiversity created by planting. The Fauna & Flora garden, which brings to life the journey of an eco-tourist on a gorilla trek through the lush and changing landscape of Central Africa, will even includes a complete gorillas nest as well as Beehives made from hollowed-out trunks, covered and tied together with banana leaves. (Many of the plants having been grown at the Eden Project).

This year many 'Sanctuary Gardens' will embrace the benefits of gardens on wellbeing with restorative gardens also set to take centre stage, shining a spotlight on the ways that both gardening and gardens can contribute positively to our health and wellbeing. There will be a focus on inclusive green spaces for socially deprived communities to connect with nature, as well gardens for patient recovery. And rather touchingly, this year, the Chelsea Flower show will include a 'Garden of Royal Reflection and Celebration', designed by Dave Green to pay tribute to the life of our late Queen Elizabeth II. It's said to feature a plant palette of light pinks and whites, plus a topiary depicting 'Emma', the Queen's favourite fell pony.

All will not be lost after the week is over. As well as all Chelsea Flower Show gardens being judged this year on how eco-friendly they are, each are required to have a plan for life afterwards - meaning they must be 'rehomed' whether in their entirety or in parts. And hopefully they'll also have left a lasting impression on all those who visit, who may re-create 'wild' areas in their gardens for the first time and help boost biodiversity up and down the country.