Visit to RHS Chelsea 2025
Another visit to RHS Chelsea Flower Show and once again, in 2025 I wasn’t disappointed. RHS Chelsea takes place at the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea in London and welcomes around 150,000 visitors each year over the five days of the event. To see everything at the show, I recommend a pair of comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
The RHS judge the show gardens and displays and present awards for those judged best.
Themes and takeaways
There were elements that were common to several of the show gardens, and some new-to me plants that I plan to purchase for my own garden. Many of these plants reflect what is in flower during May in the UK. Again, I was pleased to see that there very few flowers that would be considered very out of season.
Tones, shades and hues of flowers
- Deep burgundy or purple
- Bronze and copper
- Layers of pinks
Hard landscaping
It never fails to amaze me that those constructing show gardens are able to create such natural-looking displays, whether an arid, desert landscape or a shaded mossy garden.
Rock and stone
Many gardens use stone and rock creatively to form either very naturalistic looking displays
or to accent shape and geometry.
Stones laid on their edge creating a radial effect, much like sunrays.
Stones inserted upright coming out of the ground made a striking statement.
Mindful of nature
There were also plenty of gardens paying particular attention to supporting wildlife, from the planting schemes, through to cleverly designed additions, like bamboo canes inserted into a fence.
Water
Several gardens used still water, or water that had minimal movement to create mirror opportunities.
Ponds and pools that reflected the planting around them.
Although I would be unable to reproduce this in my own steep, hillside garden, I particularly like this idea.
Other gardens used moving water to add texture and sound to the design.
RHS Plant of the Year 2025
Plant of the Year is Philadelphus ‘Petite Perfume Pink’. Bred by Alan Postill and available at Hilliers.
The Gardens at Chelsea Flower Show 2025
Here is a selection of the gardens on display.
The Glasshouse Garden
My favourite garden of the show was The Glasshouse Garden, designed by Jo Thompson. The first time I walked past it I was drawn by the planting combinations and use of layers of pinks tones. By early afternoon, when the sun appeared from behind clouds, the garden was transformed. I could smell the garden before I could see it! The fragrance from the roses filled the air from metres away.
The RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden
Designed by Monty Don, this garden felt achievable, with ideas that could readily be translated into our gardens at home. What surprised me the most was how established this garden looked. Like it had been there for many years and was just waiting for us to find it.
Cha no niwa – Japanese Tea Garden
Awarded best in show, the attention to detail was wonderful.
And these little plants growing among the moss covered stones provoked a lot of conversation. I wanted to pluck them out and enjoy the mass of fuzzy stones on their own!
Fancy visiting RHS Chelsea?
If you want to see the show as I did on my visit to RHS Chelsea 2025, tickets are now available for purchase via the RHS website.
Or you can also look back at my visit to Chelsea 2024.
- Plants to divide in autumn - January 31, 2026
- 11 Bulbs to plant in autumn - January 16, 2026
- Daisy flowers for autumn - January 2, 2026