This year’s Chelsea Flower Show focuses on sustainability to tackle climate change
This year's show is one of the greenest since 1913, according to the organisers, with the introduction of botanicals that can survive in the changed climate.
A judge speaks in front of a display of John Peace Chrysanthemums at the Chelsea Flower Show in London, Monday, May 20, 2024.
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Organisers say this year’s Chelsea Flower Show is expected to be one of the greenest yet, with a large focus on sustainability.
Same show, different focus
They’re aiming to reduce the show’s environmental impact by working with garden designers who have used eco-techniques and low carbon materials.
The show itself, which is over 100 years old, continues to draw crowds as one of the most anticipated horticultural events of the year.
With this years focus on sustainability, designers must pay particular attention to climate change.
The choice in floral arrangements and various botanicals need to meet new, specific criteria such as being able to hold up in more extreme weather, ranging from extreme wet, potential heatwaves and drought.
Adapting the show for climate change
Ann-Marie Powell designed the Octavia Hill garden in collaboration with the National Trust, celebrating one of the charity’s founders.
Discussing the weather criteria of the plants, she said: “It’s climate change, we are having to react to be able to grow plants not just for our benefit, but for our beloved garden wildlife.
“It’s happening really fast. I’m noticing it year on year now, I think a lot of us even as pros are winging it a bit. I think it is a time of massive experimentation.”
These changes are seen as a chance to experiment with a bigger variety of botanicals. This year it’s included, Baptisia Burgundy Blast and Copper Beauty, a shrub belonging to the pea family.
Change is essential
Ms Powell has said: “That’s essential, if we’re losing many plants, then we’re also going to lose the wildlife that we enjoy. [Which] is important for the rest of the world”.
She’s also expressed the importance of finding trees that are able to cope with an ever-changing climate. These must include native and non-native species.
“We should be establishing much more tree cover in our gardens and our cities. That’s to mitigate heat, the urban heat islands, provide us with moist shade that we need to live happily and also chuck out O2.
“We need to be using trees and plants that are going to be here in 20 years when London is as hot as Barcelona.
“Otherwise, what’s the point? All these trees will be dead and so will the wildlife they support.”
The show is open between May 21-25.
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HeadlineThis year’s Chelsea Flower Show focuses on sustainability to tackle climate change
Short HeadlineChelsea Flower Show focuses on climate change
StandfirstThis year's show is one of the greenest since 1913, according to the organisers, with the introduction of botanicals that can survive in the changed climate.
Organisers say this year’s Chelsea Flower Show is expected to be one of the greenest yet, with a large focus on sustainability.
Same show, different focus
They’re aiming to reduce the show’s environmental impact by working with garden designers who have used eco-techniques and low carbon materials.
The show itself, which is over 100 years old, continues to draw crowds as one of the most anticipated horticultural events of the year.
With this years focus on sustainability, designers must pay particular attention to climate change.
The choice in floral arrangements and various botanicals need to meet new, specific criteria such as being able to hold up in more extreme weather, ranging from extreme wet, potential heatwaves and drought.
Adapting the show for climate change
Ann-Marie Powell designed the Octavia Hill garden in collaboration with the National Trust, celebrating one of the charity’s founders.
Discussing the weather criteria of the plants, she said: “It’s climate change, we are having to react to be able to grow plants not just for our benefit, but for our beloved garden wildlife.
“It’s happening really fast. I’m noticing it year on year now, I think a lot of us even as pros are winging it a bit. I think it is a time of massive experimentation.”
These changes are seen as a chance to experiment with a bigger variety of botanicals. This year it’s included, Baptisia Burgundy Blast and Copper Beauty, a shrub belonging to the pea family.
Change is essential
Ms Powell has said: “That’s essential, if we’re losing many plants, then we’re also going to lose the wildlife that we enjoy. [Which] is important for the rest of the world”.
She’s also expressed the importance of finding trees that are able to cope with an ever-changing climate. These must include native and non-native species.
“We should be establishing much more tree cover in our gardens and our cities. That’s to mitigate heat, the urban heat islands, provide us with moist shade that we need to live happily and also chuck out O2.
“We need to be using trees and plants that are going to be here in 20 years when London is as hot as Barcelona.
“Otherwise, what’s the point? All these trees will be dead and so will the wildlife they support.”
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