20/05/2026
To have the opportunity to attend both the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in the same year really does feel like a dream come true.
Today I’ve been at Chelsea in London — and what an incredible buzz! 🌿
There are so many beautiful gardens and plantings everywhere you look.
A consistant theme of many gardens is soft, natural, meadow-style combinations of grasses, wildflowers and layered perennials. They create texture, movement and a really calm, relaxed feel.
There is also a strong focus on climate resilience and sustainability, with lots of drought-tolerant planting and gardens designed for drier conditions.
It was great to see New Zealand native plants used within a number of the gardens - Cordylines, Phormiums, Ferns and Coprosmas added a wonderful contrast and structure.
Such a bonus to catch up again with Julia Atkinson-Dunn and also Andrew Fisher Tomlin, who runs the London College of Landscape Design.
I also loved seeing the work of New Zealand sculptor (now living in the UK) Dawn Conn. Her work incorporated beautifully into the garden spaces.
And then there’s the fashion and atmosphere — so many stylish people, fabulous outfits and a shared love of plants and design everywhere you turn.
I’ll share more photos later, but here’s a start.
