Guide to the Winners of the Chelsea Flower Show 2024
The 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show was a celebration of creativity and innovation, with first-time designers taking top honors across multiple categories. Here is a guide to the key winners and their outstanding garden designs.
Best in Show: Muscular Dystrophy UK – Forest Bathing Garden
Designer: Ula Maria
Concept: Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), this garden was designed as an accessible, immersive space for individuals affected by muscle-wasting conditions.
Key Features: A serene birch grove, dappled lighting, a central water rill, and woodland flora such as foxgloves and wild strawberries. The garden emphasized the therapeutic benefits of nature, incorporating wide, wheelchair-friendly paths to enhance accessibility.
Best Sanctuary Garden: Burma Skincare Initiative Spirit of Partnership Garden
Designer: Helen Olney
Highlights: As a first-time designer, Helen Olney received recognition for her creative and carefully planned sanctuary garden. The design aimed to provide a peaceful retreat while showcasing harmonious plant combinations and structural elements.
Best Balcony and Container Garden: The Ecotherapy Garden
Designer: Tom Bannister
Description: This innovative garden demonstrated how small spaces can be transformed into green sanctuaries. With a focus on mental well-being, the Ecotherapy Garden incorporated lush planting and space-efficient design elements to create a restorative environment.
Best All About Plants Garden: The Size of Wales Garden
Designer: Daniel Bristow
Overview: Recognized for its emphasis on biodiversity and environmental sustainability, this garden highlighted the importance of plant conservation and showcased a rich variety of species to support wildlife.
Inaugural RHS Children’s Choice Award: The Octavia Hill Garden
Designer: Anne-Marie Powell
Collaboration: Created in partnership with Blue Diamond and The National Trust, this garden was chosen by junior judges for its vibrant planting, wildlife-friendly design, and engaging atmosphere. The garden was designed to inspire young visitors and promote a love for nature.
Best Construction Awards
Show Gardens Category: Terrence Higgins Trust Bridge to 2030 Garden, built by Yoreland Design Ltd.
Sanctuary Gardens Category: The Boodles National Gallery Garden, built by Gadd Brothers Trees and Landscapes.
Great Pavilion Awards
Best Exhibit: Leon Kluge Garden Design won for their stunning display of Cape Flora from South Africa.
Gold Medals: A total of 50 Gold Medals were awarded across various exhibits, reflecting the exceptional quality and diversity of the plant displays.
The 2024 Chelsea Flower Show was a remarkable showcase of emerging talent and horticultural excellence. With a strong focus on accessibility, mental well-being, and sustainability, the winning gardens set a high standard for future designs. The event highlighted the power of gardens to inspire, heal, and connect people with nature.
