Birch trees, clipped hedging and metal sculptures in a Chelsea Flower Show garden built by Hardwood Landscapes
Design visual of a lakeside seating area with timber decks and green furniture surrounded by trees
Aerial design visual of a garden with timber boardwalks and circular decks over water
Stone planter with shrubs and purple flowers beside timber decking and two vertical stone slabs at the Chelsea Flower Show
Spacious outdoor patio with a long wooden dining table set with white cushioned chairs, surrounded by lush flowering plants and a modern stone and shingle house.
Awards & Events

Hardwood Landscapes at RHS Chelsea 2025: What Inspired Us

Written by
Jay Andrews-Moore
Jay Andrews-Moore, head of horticulture at Hardwood Landscapes
Polished steel water bowl set among alliums, foxgloves and birch in a Chelsea Flower Show garden

Why Chelsea Matters to Us

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the best annual reminder of what's possible in outdoor space. Even for a team that spends most of its time on construction rather than planting, there's enormous value in seeing how the best garden designers in the world approach structure, material, and atmosphere.

We make it a point to attend as a team every year. The conversations it sparks on the drive home are always worth the trip.

What Stood Out in 2025

This year felt dominated by a return to naturalism. Several of the show gardens moved away from the clean lines and polished surfaces that have defined the last decade, in favour of meadow-style planting, imperfect stone, and structures that looked as though they'd grown from the landscape rather than been imposed on it.

Dry-stone walls featured heavily — something we've been championing in our own work for years. It was satisfying to see the technique being celebrated at the highest level of the industry.

There was also a notable focus on shade. Mature tree canopies, pergolas with dense climber coverage, and sunken seating areas designed to offer shelter and a sense of enclosure. As summers in the South East get warmer, this is increasingly relevant to our clients.

Taking It Back to Site

We came away with a clearer conviction around a few things: the value of texture in paving, the importance of layering planting heights, and the case for designing gardens that feel right across all four seasons rather than peaking in July.

If any of these themes resonate with what you're thinking about for your own garden, we'd love to talk. The best projects always start with a good conversation.