The Chelsea Flower Show, held each spring in London by the Royal Horticultural Society, is the world’s most iconic gardening event. For five days, the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea are transformed into a living, breathing showcase of design, plants, and horticultural excellence. It attracts designers, growers, and garden lovers from all over the world — and for good reason.

Jason and I have admired Chelsea from afar for years, but nothing compares to seeing it in person. Some experiences quietly shift how you see your work — not with big fanfare, but in a way that stays with you. For us, this was one of those moments.

Killik & Co ‘Save for a Rainy Day Garden’.

The show is massive, but it still feels personal. Every garden tells a story. As designers, one of the biggest things that stood out was how Chelsea allows full excavation. Unlike Melbourne, where you’re limited to surface-level builds, here they dig deep — literally. Sunken lounges, fully planted mature trees, water features that feel permanent. That extra depth changes everything. The gardens feel settled, layered, like they’ve always been there.

Our personal favourite garden was The Avanade Intelligent Garden by Tom Massey and Je Ahn. It was clever and considered — combining sustainability, smart technology, and planting in a way that still felt soft, natural, and full of life. What we loved most was how the garden never felt like it was about the technology — it was still led by plants and purpose.

The planting palette was something special. Layered and lush, with unexpected edibles and understorey colour. A few standouts for us were Toona sinensis ‘Flamingo’ with its pink new growth, the architectural Zanthoxylum simulans(Sichuan pepper), and Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’, which popped against the green with its deep maroon thistle heads. There were also familiar favourites used in fresh ways — like Camassia quamash and Geum ‘Leonard’s Variety’— woven into the mix to support pollinators and soften the lines of the garden.

The Glasshouse Garden by Jo Thompson also stood out — beautifully planted and deeply moving, built to honour women rebuilding their lives after prison. A quiet but powerful space.

Butler & Parker- ‘Garden of The Future’

The Pavilion was another highlight. It’s essentially a giant greenhouse filled with the best plants from top nurseries — and it’s magic. There were alliums glowing under soft light, daffodils in perfect rows, double begonias in full bloom, and delphiniums that looked like sculptures. One grower told us he sells 85% of his delphiniums during Chelsea week alone — which made total sense after seeing them in person. We also saw bonsai azaleas, gleditsias in every shade, and a display of David Austin roses that smelled as good as they looked.

Philadelphus ‘Petite Perfume Pink’ won Plant of the Year — a sweet little shrub with pale pink flowers and a strong perfume. Other favourites were Lysimachia ‘Beaujolais’, Allium siculum (Sicilian honey garlic), and Chionanthus retusus(Chinese fringe tree). And it was great to see climate-resilient crops — like chickpeas and millet — woven into some of the displays.

We were lucky enough to walk through the show gardens after hours, when everything was quiet. That’s when you really feel the space — without the crowds, without distraction. We spoke to growers and fellow designers, including a man who tends to some of Piet Oudolf’s private gardens. He talked about planting in rhythms, using rest and movement the same way you’d approach a painting or piece of music. It was one of those quiet chats that sticks with you.

Tom Massey – ‘The Avanade Intelligent Garden’ & Lupinus × regalis

Right: Monty Don ‘Dog Garden’

Chelsea isn’t just a flower show. It’s a masterclass in detail, dedication, and thoughtfulness. Every plant choice, every texture, every angle is carefully composed, layered, and balanced. You leave not just inspired but humbled — reminded of what’s possible when creativity, passion, and space come together.

If you ever get the chance to visit, take your time, listen, and absorb the experience.

— Tahlia