From Show Garden to Living Landscape: Relocating Seeding Success to Uxbridge College

When we first began designing The King’s Trust: Seeding Success Garden for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, our aim was to create a space that represented growth, opportunity and hope, qualities that lie at the heart of The King’s Trust. Winning Gold at Chelsea was an unforgettable moment as was meeting the King, but for us, the most meaningful part of the project began afterwards.

Thanks to the combined support of Omaze Education Fund, Project Giving Back and Elemis, the garden has been given a permanent home at Uxbridge College, where it will continue to inspire and support young people for years to come.

From Show Garden to Permanent Landscape

At Chelsea, Seeding Success was built on multiple levels, with a series of raised platforms and transitions. The site at Uxbridge College, by contrast, is completely level, which meant we couldn’t simply lift and relocate the garden. We had to redesign it.

Our challenge was to preserve the essence of the original design while reshaping it to suit a very different environment. The new garden is now fully integrated into the campus landscape, accessible, practical and built for longevity.

Some of the show plants weren’t suited to the site’s conditions, so we adapted the planting scheme to ensure the garden would thrive. The biodiversity of the area has increased dramatically: what was once a plain green lawn is now home to around 3,000 plants and 10 new trees, creating habitats for pollinators, insects and birds.

The Challenge of Rebuilding

Anyone who has exhibited at Chelsea knows that once the show ends, you have just four days to dismantle the entire garden. Every tree, plant, structure and stone has to be carefully lifted, catalogued and transported,  no small task after months of preparation.

From there, we had to turn the whole project around quickly. The garden was dismantled in late May, rebuilt over the summer, and opened at Uxbridge College by September, a remarkable timeframe for a complete reconstruction.

That was only possible because of the dedication of an incredible team and our close collaboration with our contractor. Rebuilding a show garden on a new site is always complex, especially in a public space like a college, which has all sorts of risks, regulations and health and safety protocols to follow, but the shared sense of purpose kept everyone motivated, we all knew how much this garden meant.

A Garden with a New Purpose

At Uxbridge College, Seeding Success has become an outdoor learning space and a hub for The King’s Trust Team and Achieve programmes. It’s a place where young people can connect, reflect, and build the confidence and skills they need to shape their futures.

The young people who were part of the journey -  Alfie and Corinne, joined us for the garden’s opening. Watching them grow in confidence throughout the process has been one of the most rewarding parts of the project. Alfie who’s a very talented artist even designed the sign for the new garden, and seeing them proudly present their work at the opening was incredibly moving.

They were understandably nervous at the start of the Chelsea process, stepping into an unfamiliar world, but over the months, their transformation has been remarkable. They’ve developed new skills, confidence and friendships, and their experience is a perfect reflection of what Seeding Success was always meant to represent.

The garden is not just for students. College staff and gardeners can also get involved, forming groups to help maintain and care for the space. It provides a green, welcoming area for everyone on campus, encouraging community, wellbeing and learning beyond the classroom.

A Living Legacy

For me, the most satisfying part of this relocation is that the garden hasn’t just been preserved — it’s evolved. It’s now part of a living landscape that will continue to change, grow, and support new generations of young people.

Turning what was once a temporary showpiece into a permanent educational resource has given the garden a second life, one that feels even more meaningful. It stands as a reminder that with collaboration, creativity and determination, design can have a lasting impact far beyond the showground.

FAQs

Can Chelsea gardens really be rebuilt in full after the show?

Yes, but it’s a major undertaking. Every element must be carefully dismantled, transported, and adapted to the new site. Close planning and a skilled team are essential to ensure the garden thrives in its new environment. We used the same team that built the garden to relocate the garden and this is the ideal situation as they know the garden inside out by the end of the show.

How do you adapt a show garden for a permanent site?

Adapting a garden involves rethinking the layout, topography, and planting to suit the new location. Some plants may need to be replaced to suit soil, light, and climate conditions, and features like levels or terraces often need redesigning. The goal is to preserve the garden’s spirit while ensuring longevity and functionality.

Who maintains the garden now?

The garden is maintained by a combination of King’s Trust participants, college staff, and gardeners. Students, staff and volunteers can form gardening groups, ensuring the space is cared for, evolves over time, and remains a welcoming and educational environment for all.

Can young people benefit from the garden beyond learning horticulture?

Absolutely. Seeding Success provides an outdoor classroom where participants develop confidence, teamwork, and life skills. The garden also offers inspiration, reflection, and a sense of achievement for everyone involved, from the students to the staff. At Joe Perkins, we love to see younger people benefiting from learning horticulture, and passing on our knowledge.