Chelsea Flower Show 2025 - The King’s Trust Garden: Seeding Success

Photography: Clive Nichols

It takes a great team to make a great show garden, and we certainly had that. The project team included The Landscaping Consultants as main contractor, glass artist James Cockerill, architect and fabricator Sam Ogilvie, joiner Oli Carter, metalsmith Richard Weaver and specialist finisher Nathan Irvine. That doesn’t even mention our amazing suppliers and excellent planting team, so I think overall our team was in excess of 50 people. Check our portfolio page for the full list of contributors and plant species!

Photography: Joe Perkins Studio

We are all extremely proud to have won a gold medal for the garden which is far from easy to achieve and reflects the dedication and hard work of so many talented people.

Photography: Joe Perkins Studio

The King’s Trust team are a delight to work with, as are our sponsors Project Giving Back and key supporter Elemis. The great thing about this project is that the garden really was working during show week, helping to raise awareness of the Trust’s incredible work and inspiring people to become donors and partners in the important run up to the 50th anniversary in 2026.

Photography: Clive Nichols

Inspired by the raw beauty of nature’s most challenging environments, our Chelsea Flower Show garden explores resilience, renewal, and transformation. In extreme conditions, life finds a way—just as young people, with the right support, can overcome challenges and thrive. 

This is reflected in rugged basalt pathways, layered rock formations, and a planting scheme that mimics pioneer species colonising barren ground. Screen-printed glass panels depict seed dispersal, reinforcing renewal and potential. The challenge was balancing the wild essence of these landscapes with a welcoming, contemplative space.

Photography: Clive Nichols

At the heart of the garden is the symbolism of seeds—tiny vessels of possibility. Many plants, like the Black Pine and Icelandic Poppy, thrive in extreme conditions, mirroring the resilience of young people supported by The King’s Trust. 

Seeds represent transformation—they hold within them the potential for something much greater. This idea is woven throughout the garden, from the delicate dispersal imagery on the glass panels to the shape of the carved furniture to the plants themselves, many of which have adapted to germinate quickly or regenerate after extreme conditions. 

We have been working with 3 young people during the creation of the garden who have benefitted from the exposure to new experiences. It has been really great to see their interest and enthusiasm grow.

Photography: Clive Nichols

Design:

The garden is designed to be both visually inspiring and a functional, interactive space. The basalt pathways and sunken seating areas create natural gathering points, encouraging collaboration and conversation, while quieter corners offer more introspective spaces for reflection. By using a permeable, unbound construction approach, we’ve also ensured sustainability and longevity. Water is kept within the garden and can drain through the permeable surfaces. Also we have not used any cement or concrete in the construction, which means less co2 and also total re-use of the materials for the relocation to its permanent home after the show.

The combination of structured elements and naturalistic planting provides a sense of stability and growth—mirroring the journey of young people building confidence and independence. Spending time in a well-designed outdoor space has been shown to improve mental well-being, and this garden will offer a place of respite, creativity, and learning.

Photography: Clive Nichols

Relocation:

The garden will be relocated to Uxbridge College, where it will be used by students on The King’s Trust programme. The relocation of the garden to Uxbridge College ensures that its benefits will extend well beyond the Chelsea Flower Show. It will serve as an outdoor learning space where students can engage with horticulture and hands-on gardening. The experience of maintaining and evolving the space will teach valuable life skills, from teamwork to responsibility. Emotionally, the garden provides a calming and uplifting environment, offering young people a place to reflect, connect, and find inspiration. Our hope is that, much like the seeds it celebrates, the garden will continue to foster growth, confidence, and opportunity for years to come.