Captivating coastal garden steals the spotlight at the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Blimey, the Hospitalfield Arts Garden by Nigel Dunnett at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show is creating quite the buzz! Partnered with Scottish arts charity Hospitalfield Arts, this bad boy's stomping ground is Chelsea's Main Avenue, and it's all about sustainability, baby.
Taking its cues from the coast of Arbroath, Scotland, this astonishing showpiece features sculptural sand dunes, a snazzy art studio, and a unique dune pool that's fed by rainwater collected from the structures on-site. For seasoned Chelsea designer Nigel, who's no stranger to advocating for planting design as an art form, crafting this architectural dune-scape has been a thrilling challenge. "Chelsea's a place for innovative ideas, risk-taking, and experimentation," he said, adding, "and that's certainly the spirit we've embraced while developing our garden."
These sand dunes not only look the part but also represent a progressive attitude towards soil, with recycled aggregates like sand, gravels, and even crushed concrete being used as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional topsoils. Gone are the days of pampered topsoil – these plants are grown in sand. aptly pioneered by Peter Korn, the Swedish nurseryman, sand-grown plants boast deep roots and less flimsy top growth, displaying remarkable resilience in the face of extreme weather changes.
So, what's the big idea here? "We aim to spark conversations about our changing gardening habits," explained Nigel, whose past projects include mind-boggling landscape designs for the 2012 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Games and the 2022 Tower of London 'Superbloom.' "The advantage of these recycled aggregates is they facilitate drainage, enabling warm-climate plants to survive our rainy winters. It's a sneak peek into the future garden, fer chrissakes."
The dunes also encompass an eclectic assortment of coastal plants that give the garden a distinct visage, starkly contrasting traditional British gardening schemes and the shows of yesteryear. It's a striking, unusual display – quietly whispering about our potential future in a warming climate.
Meanwhile, other gardens at Chelsea have similarly addressed pressing environmental issues, exploring topics like sustainable water capture, biochar, preserving endangered ecosystems, and micro-farming the crops of tomorrow. Proving that the Royal Horticultural Society's commitment to making Chelsea a hotbed for new horticultural ideas is in full swing.
Post-Chelsea, the Hospitalfield Arts Garden – supported by gardening goodness charity Project Giving Back – is scheduled for relocation to a primary school in Arbroath, close to Hospitalfield. There, it will be adapted to provide a stimulating, creative space for children and educators alike to enjoy.
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The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from 20 May 2025 - Sat, 24 May. Get tickets
This year's Hospitalfield Arts Garden, led by Nigel Dunnett at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, showcases a sustainable lifestyle with home-and-garden designs that innovatively use recycled aggregates, promoting water conservation and micro-farming. Post-Chelsea, this garden will be relocated to a primary school in Arbroath, inspiring children with its unique, eco-friendly approach to sustainable living.
