The Chelsea Flower Show’s rebellious younger sibling continues to grow in strength with a series of alternative garden-themed events held internationally – including art installations, poetry readings and meditation – that delight and intrigue in equal measure. Photograph Paul Debois
Here are just a few of the many events that will be hosted over the course of the Chelsea Fringe Festival, 20-28 May 2023.
Chelsea Fringe 2023
1 . Cranbrook Goes Nuts
Join us once again in our beautiful market town in Kent where the High Street will be closed to traffic but open to celebrate gardens and gardening.
When: 28 May.
Where: High Street, Cranbrook Kent TN17 3ED
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2. Natural Ink Making Workshop
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Ink making workshop taught by Amanda Thesiger (www.amandathesiger.com) using material gathered from the gardens of Doddington Place Gardens including leaves and flowers. Using a variety of tools and ingredients to process, prepare, preserve and draw with the inks such as pipettes, gum arabic, evergreen or essential oils.
When: 26 May.
Where: Doddington Place Gardens, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 0BB, UK.
3. Urban Flora Trail at Crossbones Graveyard
Take a self-guided garden trail around one of London’s most intriguing spaces, Crossbones Graveyard – a former burial ground turned community remembrance garden. See what you can find growing and hear more about the garden’s history from our Crossbones volunteer wardens. Crossbones is an urban walled green haven cared for by Bankside Open Spaces Trust and their volunteers. It features a mix of self-seeded and cultivated plants. This event can be enjoyed by all and is suitable for children.
When: 27 May.
Where: Crossbones Graveyard, Redcross Way, London, SE1 1TA.
4. 2012 Gardens at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Take a walking tour with the Park Services Manager, Chris Moran and Landscape Architect Pippa Henshall who have been working on the 2012 Gardens.
When: 23 May
Where: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford Walk, London E20 2AD, UK.
5. Henley Quakers’ Peaceful Garden
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Henley Quakers invite you to discover the hidden delights of our secret garden in the heart of the town. Visit our quiet space and take time to refresh yourself. Reflect a while – perhaps the space will inspire you to draw or write something, or you may wish to just sit quietly among the scents and natural sounds of this special place. Please join us for tea and cake.
When: 21 May.
Where: Henley Friends Meeting House, 45 Northfield End, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2JJ, UK.
6. Seattle Plant Parade
Join a festive stream of semi-serious plant lovers in a lively parade through Seattle’s notoriously beautifully planted UVillage. The route is less than a mile, winding past Ravenna Gardens’ tempting plant bounty, through the lovely UVillage Park, and back towards the UW Farm. Perhaps it’s the Fern King or the Fern Queen who will lead the festivities. Or the mythological Green Man? Maybe it’s a stream of Flower People.. the Potted Prince/Princess/folk.. who knows? Join in and surprise us with your horticultural creativity. Under decorated hats stride the Spice Girls, or the Dead Plant Society. It’s not the famed Fremont Solstice Parade yet, so naked bike riders will have to wait for June. But in the meantime, strut your plant stuff to the flowery tunes of a kazoo band, playing planty tunes. We expect dancing in the street!
When: 21 May
Where: University Village, Seattle, Washington, 98105, 2623 NE University Village St, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
7. Eco Printing with Renata Minolo
Learn how to create clean, crisp botanical prints on textiles with flowers and leaves from our garden in this workshop. Transfer colours and shapes, play with patterns and be surprised by the results. This is a fun, sustainable and economical way to try out some natural dye and start a magical botanical journey.
When: 21 May.
Where: King Henry’s Walk Garden, 11c King Henry’s Walk, London N1 4NX, UK.
8. Delft Botanical
Join one of our workshops on the 20th/21st May and learn how to create your own Delftware flowers. Paint your design onto a tin-glazed plate or tile in Spitalfields, where original Delft tiles still adorn some of the fireplaces in the early 18th century houses.
When: 20 – 21 May.
Where: Town House Spitalfields, Town House 5 Fournier St London E1 6QE.
9. Bee Bins, Planting a Wilder Mile
Come and help us turn nine ugly metal bins into beautiful eco-friendly planters. This project is part of the Wilder Mile, where we are increasing biodiversity in one square mile of Southwark.
When: 20 – 28 May.
Where: SE1, 124-126 The Cut, London SE1 8LN, UK.
10. Handful of Herbs
A handy herb focused event in the secret Tate Modern Community Garden. Visit the garden to learn a bit more about herbs – how we use them now and what they were used for in the past. See some of the herbs growing in this small garden and have a taste and smell of some selected by the gardeners from Bankside Open Spaces Trust. An event to be enjoyed by all and suitable for children.
When: 20 May.
Where: Tate Community Garden, Park St, London SE1 9JE, UK.
The Chelsea Fringe takes place 20-28 May. Find more events at chelseafringe.com and follow @thechelseafringe on Instagram; @ChelseaFringe on Twitter; and @chelseafringe on Facebook. Please check event details with venue before travelling.