New designs aim to raise awareness for community causes and introduce unique plant varieties
Category: Arts & Culture
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 will feature an exciting lineup of innovative gardens and plant varieties, including the much-anticipated Hosta ‘Red Ninja’, introduced by Sienna Hosta. This new hosta variety, which is already shortlisted for Chelsea Plant of the Year, promises to deliver a "genuinely new colour break" in the world of hostas.
This year’s show, taking place from May 19 to May 23, will celebrate horticultural excellence and focus on social causes and community support through its garden designs.
Among the standout entries is the Trussell Together Garden, created by Yorkshire designer Rob Hardy and his team at the Harewood Estate. This garden aims to raise awareness for Trussell, an anti-poverty charity and community of foodbanks. Hardy expressed his passion for the project, stating, "It makes a powerful statement ‒ that when people come together, we can end hunger." The design, which beat out hundreds of others for funding through Project Giving Back, will eventually be relocated to a foodbank in Northern Ireland, creating a lasting impact.
Hardy, aged 48, has volunteered with Trussell at several foodbanks across the country. He described the inspiration behind the garden as a reflection of community support, saying, "Each person was supporting each other to support those in greatest need. It’s just incredible how everybody comes together, so we tried to create a garden that speaks of that mutual support." The garden features a unique structure known as a reciprocal frame, symbolizing interconnectedness and support, where removing one piece would cause the entire structure to fall apart.
Another garden making waves at the show is the Project Giving Back Garden, which will donate plants to the Wonky Garden in Cheshire. This garden, founded in 2018 by Angela Hayler after her recovery from cancer, has transformed into a vibrant community space with various features, including an orchard and a children’s garden. Hayler emphasized the significance of the donation, stating, "The Wonky Garden has grown into something truly special – a place where friendships grow, knowledge is shared and people come together and have fun." The donation will help create an ornamental gravel garden, completing the site’s development.
Project Giving Back, which is presenting its first show garden at Chelsea, was established to fund gardens for charitable organizations before relocating them to permanent homes across the UK. The design of the Project Giving Back Garden, created by James Basson, takes inspiration from the landscapes of Provence and aims to demonstrate how UK gardens can adapt to increasingly dry summers.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is known for its prestigious reputation, attracting thousands of visitors each year. It showcases the best in horticulture, with a focus on innovation and creativity. The introduction of gardens that support social causes highlights a growing trend within the gardening community to use design as a platform for advocacy.
The Trussell Together Garden and the Project Giving Back Garden exemplify this shift. By addressing issues such as food poverty and community support, these gardens aim to inspire visitors to engage with their local communities and contribute to meaningful causes. This year’s show marks a notable evolution in how garden design can intersect with social responsibility.
Both gardens will contribute to a broader narrative about the role of gardens in promoting well-being and community cohesion. The planting schemes and designs are aesthetically pleasing and serve as powerful reminders of the importance of collective action in addressing societal challenges.
Following the Chelsea Flower Show, the Trussell Together Garden will be moved to its permanent home outside a foodbank in Strabane, Northern Ireland. This relocation is intended to provide a tranquil space for volunteers and visitors, fostering a sense of community and support. Hardy hopes that the garden will help soften the experience for those visiting the foodbank, offering a welcoming environment where people can connect over a cup of tea.
The Wonky Garden in Cheshire will also benefit from the plants donated by the Project Giving Back Garden. The transformation of a previously neglected area into an ornamental gravel garden will complete the final phase of the Wonky Garden’s development. This initiative enhances the local environment and continues to support a wide range of community activities, including outdoor learning and well-being programs.
As the RHS Chelsea Flower Show approaches, excitement builds around the innovative designs and the messages they convey. With a strong focus on community and social impact, these gardens are set to inspire visitors and encourage them to think about their roles in supporting local initiatives. The show will likely be a celebration of both horticultural artistry and the power of gardens to effect change.
With the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 just around the corner, the anticipation for these impactful garden designs is high. As Hardy aptly put it, "Being able to get there and talk about the message of Trussell and showcase what we can do, it’s amazing." This year’s event is not just about flowers and plants; it’s about creating spaces that unite people in their shared belief that change is possible.