Our favourite gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026
Our top picks from this year's Chelsea Flower Show, and some stunning inspiration for our own gardens
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show has returned for another year of beautiful gardens, celebrity spotting, and outdoor inspiration for us all.
There is something for everyone to appreciate at this year’s show: with havens for plants, balcony gardens, container gardens, and of course – the stunning show gardens.
But which of this year’s Chelsea Flower Show gardens had the biggest impact on us, and why?
Here we’re sharing some of our favourites, alongside the winners, along with what informed their designs and how you can replicate the ideas in your own outdoor space.
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Our favourite gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026
These gardens really stood out for us this year, but it’s so difficult to choose as they are all stunning!
1.The Campaign to Protect Rural England Garden: ‘On the Edge’
Designed by Sarah Eberle, Built by The Outdoor Room, Sponsored by Project Giving Back
The On the Edge garden highlights often overlooked countryside areas on the edge of towns and cities.
These spaces are critically undervalued and threatened but are crucial for keeping people connected with nature.
This garden symbolises hope and resilience on our doorstep, and with the right care, shows how these fragile places can recover for future generations.
The garden is set on an imagined piece of undeveloped land. With key features including a fallen tree sculpted into a guardian figure whose hand touches the water from a shallow pool, while her hair flows on to form the top of a dry stone wall.
Naturalised garden plants in the show garden from previous fly-tipping of garden waste, transforming neglect into abundance. Additionally, the planting is rich and diverse, celebrating UK native plants that are vital to ecosystems.
Photo: RHS
2. Flood Re: Contain the Rain Garden
Designed by John Howlett, Built by Acacia Gardens, Sponsored by Flood Re
Drawing inspiration from traditional Persian design, this container garden creates a tranquil sanctuary within a compact urban space.
It’s designed for a single person or a couple with an environmental mindset, offering a stunning escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The idea is intended to be enjoyed from indoors with views, but also from the small seating area nestled amongst the vibrant planting – providing a place for peace.
A series of hexagonal planters are at the heart of the space, which can be rearranged to adapt to different garden shapes make the design flexible and practical.
While lush planting keeps the garden cool during the hotter temperatures, and permeable surfaces, integrated water storage and thoughtful planting work together to manage excess rainwater – combining beauty with resilience in a sustainable urban oasis.
Photo: RHS
3. Lovehoney presents: Aphrodite’s Hothouse
Designed by James Whiting from Plants By There, sponsored by Lovehoney, Houseplant Studios sponsored by Malvern Garden Buildings
The ultimate pleasure garden, this stunning hothouse is lush, fragrant and a little bit naughty!
Visitors are invited to step inside and wander through its unique ‘Tunnel of Love’, filled with orchids, Anthurium, Nepenthes and wandering vines.
Amongst the foliage, sculptural forms peek out, blurring the line between botanical curiosity and boudoir wink. Expect devotions to love, lust and longing create a daring celebration of plant sexuality. Therefore giving the space a really intimate feel.
As a result, there may be some raised eyebrows and a close inspection of the planting scheme – with plenty of blushes!
Photo: RHS
4. Woodland Trust: Forgotten Forests Garden
Designed by Ashleigh Aylett, Built by CJ Landscapes and Sponsored by Project Giving Back and the Woodland Trust
Visitors will be able to see the transformation from damaged, old woodland into vibrant, thriving habitats filled with bright colours, beauty and life.
They’ll be able to see how the Woodland Trust opens up these landscapes, letting in light that awakens the dormant seed bank beneath the soil, allowing ancient species to flourish once again.
The design features a striking transition zone, where regimented conifers give way to more naturally regenerating woodland.
The evolving landscape showcases the restorations occurring now, demonstrating the story of renewal rather than a finished forest.
The garden tells a powerful story of stewardship and hope, how with care and patience, ancient woodlands can reclaim their rightful place.
Photo: RHS
5. A Little Garden of Shared Knowledge
Designed by Katerina Kantalis, Built by Phil Sutton Landscapes Ltd, Sponsored by Viking
This garden has been designed for a well-travelled, creative, retired couple who have a deep passion for gardens and the arts.
It serves as a private sanctuary and welcoming space for entertaining loved ones, it’s a place where technique, travel experiences and family traditions are shared.
The space encourages nurturing, with a specifically chosen amount of flowers, herbs, vegetables and fruit arranged within a compact layout.
It draws on insights from previous gardens, with the balcony being a chance for learning and exploring – passing on wisdom to younger family members.
With the couple recently downsizing to a London townhouse, the imagined couple remain deeply committed to their gardening.
As a result, the balcony fostering intergenerational connections and a living legacy to their history.
Photo: RHS
6. Addleshaw Goddard: Flourish in the City
Designed by Joe and Laura Carey, Built by The Outdoor Room, Sponsored by Addleshaw Goddar
Celebrating the hidden gemstones of London, this is all about the gardens and mini oases that stitch the city together.
Specifically, the ones that offer sanctuary, freedom and community amidst the urban rush.
They are inspired by London’s status as the first National Park city, and blend natural forms and materials that reflect the city’s heritage.
Inviting visitors to reconnect with nature in the city, it features green and blue environmental elements, set alongside Portland stone and copper.
Water features make a nod to London’s rivers, with the garden referencing the emerging #humanise movement.
This is led by Thomas Heatherwick – encapsulating joy, generosity and imaginative design.
Photo: RHS
7. An Ode to Endurance
Designed by Natalia Drezek and Jinhyun Ahn, Conservatory Archives, Houseplant Studios sponsored by Malvern Garden Buildings
This exhibit serves as an ode to otherworldly stalwarts and our fascination with curious and unique plants within the modern houseplant collection.
It’s been curated to draw focus to the idiosyncratic forms of succulents, with a selection of notable species alongside the conceptual vision of the arid landscape.
Their distinct appearances is due to their harsh natural habitats, helping us to understand the care needed to help them to thrive.
Moreover, expect a mixture of slender and thick stems, chunky rootstocks, glaucous surfaces and spiky margins imposed on a backdrop of complimentary materials and rough textures.
Consisting of a mix of neatly presented plants lining shelves and carefully placed in clusters around the living room inspired design, encouraging visitors to inspect the diversity and consider its place within our homes.
Photo: RHS
8. Lady Garden Foundation ‘Silent No More’ Garden
Designed by Darren Hawkes, Built by Landscape Associates, Sponsored by Lady Garden Foundation
Captivating, curious and ready to open up a conversation about gynaecological health, this garden is aiming to break down stigmas.
It’s surrounded by stunning planting, with a fully immersive garden.
Taking inspiration from the Basque artist Eduardo Chillida, with a central structure echoing ceramic sculpture – providing a safe space where sunlight and shade change throughout the day.
A winding path leads visitors through richly planted borders, where shifting colours showcase the five sculptures.
Consequently, each of these are representing one of the five gynaecological cancers.
Water flows from a central pool through deep rills, guiding the journey onward, into intimate nooks with secluded seating, then widens into a communal space for open and honest conversations – these environments are designed to break the silence, foster connection and ultimately help to save lives.
Planting within the space, transitions from soft greys, pinks and blues to bold, vibrant tones reflective of the Lady’s Garden Foundation’s bold, fearless spirit.
Photo: RHS
Full list of winners at the Chelsea Flower Show 2026
You’ve seen our favourites, but which of this years stunning gardens won the accolades this year?
People’s Choice Winners
- Best Show Garden – Parkinson’s UK – A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey
- Best Small Show Garden – Trussell’s Together Garden
- Best Balcony/Container Garden – Alzheimer’s Society: Microbes and Minds Garden
- Best All About Plants Garden – The Bat Conservation Trust’s Nocturnal Garden
Best in Show
- RHS Chelsea Garden of the Year – Sarah Eberle – The Campaign to Protect Rural England Garden: ‘On the Edge’
- RHS Chelsea Small Garden of the Year – Joe and Laura Carey – Addleshaw Goddard: Flourish in the City
- Best Balcony and Container Garden – Katerina Kantalis – A Little Garden of Shared Knowledge sponsored by Viking
- Best All About Plants Garden – Ashleigh Aylett – Woodland Trust: Forgotten Forests Garden
- Best Construction (Show Garden) – Darren Hawkes – Lady Garden Foundation ‘Silent No More’ Garden
- Best Construction (Small Show Garden) – Rob Hardy & Co – Trussell’s Together Garden
- RHS Environmental Innovation Award – Harry Holding and Alex Michaelis – The Eden Project: Bring Me Sunshine Garden
- Best Houseplant Studio – Natalia Drezek and Jinhyun Ahn, Conservatory Archives – An Ode To Endurance
Discover the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 favourite gardens and winners here
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