On the one hand, not being able to pinpoint a theme is good. There was comment that there were gardens to suit everyone \u2013 from the thought-provoking (building from last year\u2019s rewilding garden<\/a> from Urquhart & Hunt, which flummoxed many a gardener) through to the life-style desirable.<\/p>\n We\u2019d likely be bored now by a show that really was ALL gardens \u2013 it was Dan Pearson<\/a>\u2019s representation of the Trout Stream at Chatsworth in 2015 that was one of the more recent gardens to push the boundaries by presenting an \u2018evocation\u2019 of a place rather than a garden.<\/p>\n But is this year\u2019s split personality indicative of us having reached something of a tipping point in the world of gardening \u2013 and if it is, how should that pinnacle of excellence that is the Chelsea Flower Show<\/a> be navigating this?<\/p>\n More on<\/strong><\/p>\n Nature v nurture<\/strong><\/p>\n This is the nub of the question \u2013 whether nature itself knows better, grows better, is better for us and allows a more sensitive approach to our planet? Or does a bit of human intervention in the creation of a controlled and stylised space allow us to improve on nature and better our interactions with the outside world?<\/p>\n Show gardens such as those by Tom Massey for the Royal Entomological Society<\/a>, Cleve West\u2019s thought-provoking space<\/a> full of metaphors for youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, the exquisite South Korean mountainside journey evoked in Jihae Hwang\u2019s show garden<\/a> complete with precious rarities, or Jilayne Rickard\u2019s celebration of Africa\u2019s native species both plant and animal, aren\u2019t obviously going to have people taking away ideas for their own gardens, but they do go some way in shifting our perspectives of just how precious the natural world is.<\/p>\n Versus gardens in the more culturally accepted sense, such as Mark Gregory\u2019s potager<\/a> with outdoor kitchen and dining space, which speaks to our desire to create an identity of our own in our gardens and to consider how our lifestyles might be more generous and fulsome. Sarah Price<\/a>\u2019s achingly beautiful garden had a serenity that promised a calm and uplifting sense of hope to all who entered there. Here were ideas a plenty to consider for one\u2019s own garden<\/a>.<\/p>\n Which, in our age of multiple crises, is the right approach? The answer likely lies in the middle, but how does the RHS navigate this when it comes to awards and medals?<\/a><\/p>\n Inspiration<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s another tipping point too in the question of \u2018where\u2019 we find our gardens. Touched on in last year\u2019s show, the idea of the brownfield garden<\/a> came of age this year. There are huge sustainability lessons<\/a> here in learning to work with concrete, rubble and rubbish as a substrate and recognising tougher, more resilient, less-cultivated plants as worthy, which can see us help to heal human vulnerabilities, but also our ravaged planet too.<\/p>\n Utilising the post-industrial spaces that our digital towns and cities are now home to and making them into planted spaces has many benefits. It opens up access to those with no garden or who need a space away from home \u2013 see Jon Davies and Steve Williams\u2019s The Balance Garden Centre for Mental Health<\/a> \u2013 and it can bring communities together in a shared space.<\/p>\n This was echoed in Tayshan Hayden-Smith\u2019s tiny Grow2Know<\/a> display in the Great Pavilion \u2013 a cracked concrete block flourishing with a rush of wild pioneer plants, reminding us of the need to support communities striving to heal themselves following periods of trauma or neglect. In a time when the importance of green spaces to our wellbeing<\/a> is well documented, the inequality of access can still be shameful.<\/p>\n We as people and gardeners recognise and applaud these messages, but then, if we\u2019re honest, probably also quite like the idea of a private, practical terrace, with a generous outdoor sofa, wood-fired hot tub hidden from view by lush, tropical growth<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n Questions for the future<\/strong><\/p>\n The healing power of gardens leads on to Project Giving Back<\/a> \u2013 the initiative set up by undisclosed philanthropists to give designers support in creating show gardens for charitable causes that raise awareness AND go on to have a life after the show. The project has injected both money and vigour into Chelsea, with 15 gardens supported this year. Many an established designer has been drawn back to creating \u2018just one more\u2019 Chelsea garden in the knowledge that their creations will live on beyond the craziness of show week and really can benefit others. Plus up-and-coming designers, including Charlie Hawkes for his Rare Space garden in the Sanctuary<\/a> category and Harry Holding with his School Food Matters garden in the All About Plants<\/a> section, have been given mentorship, support and exposure that would more usually take decades to build up.<\/p>\n![\""Chelsea\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2023\/05\/Press-Chelsea20232Z5A0142May-21-2023-75a4696.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"Chelsea\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> There\u2019s another tipping point too in the question of \u2018where\u2019 we find our gardens <\/blockquote> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>
![\""Chelsea\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2023\/05\/ChelseaFlowerShowGrow2KnowEdit01-828b31b.jpg?quality=90&resize=566%2C413"\" "\\"\"Chelsea\\"\/")
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