Cotswold designers and growers have been wowing RHS Chelsea judges with top awards in both the gardens and Great Pavilion as well as the coveted Garden of the Year.
Designer Sarah Eberle returned to Chelsea in triumph, winning top awards with a garden for the Campaign to Protect Rural England that imagines land that’s been claimed by the community on the fringe of a town.
‘I am thrilled to bits to receive Garden of the Year,’ she said. ‘The difference between a good garden and a great garden is how it makes you feel and I’m often told by the next generation of gardeners that I have inspired them, which, if nothing else, is the greatest gift of all.
‘This garden’s mission is very personal to me. I am a country girl through and through, so I embody some of the same message and beliefs that the Campaign to Protect Rural England and this garden holds.’
Designer Sarah Eberle. (Image: Mark Spencer)
Sarah, from Witney, has now won 14 Chelsea golds, making her the designer with the highest tally of top awards at the show in the modern era. She has also won gold in more categories than any other designer.
Oxford-based designer Angus Thompson won silver for The Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space Garden. The Japanese-inspired garden is a place to pause and has a large, suspended platform at its heart.
He said he was initially a little disappointed with the medal but was delighted with the public response to the garden.
Angus Thompson garden (Image: Mandy Bradshaw)
‘It’s for raising awareness of the work of Asthma + Lung UK and its work in promoting breath health and wellbeing for all and this garden provides the perfect platform.’
The garden will be relocated after the show to a lung rehabilitation centre in Rotherham.
In the Great Pavilion, husband and wife team Niamh and Neil Jones of The Kitchen Garden Plant Centre in Newent got gold for their herb display. They were also awarded a Cultural Certificate – which recognises plant quality – for a sweet woodruff on their stand.
Niamh and Neil Jones The Kitchen Garden Plant Centre (Image: Mandy Bradshaw)
‘It’s our fourth Chelsea gold and I’m very, very proud this morning,’ said Neil, who added that the support of his staff and family was invaluable.
There was a silver gilt medal for Julia Mitchell of Green JJam Nurseries who has recreated a London front garden using mainly white plants and flowers.
Julia Mitchell Green JJam (Image: Mandy Bradshaw)
She was also awarded a Cultural Certificate for a beautiful pot of London Pride, Saxifrage x urbium.
‘I’m really happy with a silver gilt,’ she said. ‘The public absolutely love the display, and we’ve had some really lovely comments.’
Pelargonium grower Steven Monks won silver gilt with his Chelsea debut display. Steven whose nursery is at Offenham, holds the National Plant Collections of several groups of these summer favourites.
Steven Monks Growing Crazy (Image: Mandy Bradshaw)
‘It’s absolutely amazing,’ he said. ‘It’s been exhausting, exhilarating, and nerve-wracking but wonderful.’
Sopworth cut flower grower Rachel Golding Barrett was one of a team from Flowers from the Farm who got silver gilt for a display showcasing British grown blooms.
Rachel Golding Barrett Flowers from the Farm (Image: Mandy Bradshaw)
‘I feel very honoured and privileged to have been part of this experience,’ she said.
The biggest exhibit in the pavilion was designed and built for Blue Diamond Garden Centres by Forest of Dean firm, Leaf Creative Gardens. The walk-through display features different growing situations and showcases the range of plants Blue Diamond stock. It’s the second year that the two firms have collaborated at Chelsea with a gold in 2026. Peter Dowle of Leaf Creative Gardens said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted with a gold. It’s such a huge team celebration and I am so proud of them all.
Peter Dowle and Angela Delaney of Leaf Creative Gardens (Image: Mandy Bradshaw)
‘It’s been great to deliver this award with Alan Roper (CEO) and the Blue Diamond team.’
The garden will be rebuilt at Blue Diamond’s Bridgemere site after the show.
This year’s RHS feature garden sees two of the Cotswolds’ most famous residents collaborating with designer Frances Tophill.
King Charles and David Beckham have both contributed ideas to the RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden.
It celebrates the diversity of plants and aims to encourage a new generation of growers.
Frances said working with the King and Beckham had been easier than she anticipated as they were both so supportive.
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Alan Titchmarsh, King Charles III, Sir David Beckham and Frances Tophill, (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
‘The King gave feedback that was really positive and David has been just really vocal about plants.’
The garden mixes flowers with vegetables and herbs, many of them supplied by Jekka McVicar from South Gloucestershire.
Among the trade stands, August Bernstein, head of the Gardening School at le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, has decorated one of the greenhouses on Alitex’s display. It is announcing her new book, Around the World in 80 Seeds, which is published next year. Her design features Heritage varieties, with plants grown both at le Manoir and by patients at Horatio’s Gardens, based at spinal injuries units.
‘It’s a culinary tour around the world in an Alitex greenhouse,’ said August. ‘I’m here to share all those wonderful varieties that people have held dear for so long.’
And visitors to RHS Chelsea are getting a floral welcome from Cotswold florist Millie Richardson.
Millie Richardson florist (Image: Mandy Bradshaw)
The RHS commissioned Millie, from Sherborne, to decorate the Bull Ring Gate and she’s created ‘A Visit to Brambly Hedge, paying homage to the stories by Jill Barklem.
‘Every single stem, branch, and plant is British sourced so it’s completely sustainable,’ said Millie. ‘’It’s been the biggest career highlight for me.’
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs until Saturday May 23, 2026.
