Urban oases at the 2021 Chelsea Flower Show unveiled innovative ideas for cityscapes – listed are the prominent trends observed:
Gardening enthusiasts seeking inspiration for their balcony gardens should have attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, with trends aimed at promoting wellness and resilience.
Among the plethora of gardening trends exhibited, the traditional cottage garden theme seemed predominant. However, a distinct departure from this theme was seen in the balcony gardens, showcasing unique and unexpected plants. With limited space available, each detail in these gardens was expertly considered for maximum impact.
Six emerging balcony garden trends highlighted the shift towards creating gardens that not only enchant but also soothe, rejuvenate, and sometimes rewild urban dwellers.
1. Adapting to a Changing Climate
As climate variations become more erratic, gardeners face increasingly challenging conditions. At the show, resilient planting designs were prevalent, utilizing drought-tolerant plants like ivy and creeper to combat climate extremes. The C6 Garden even focused on carbon sequestration, with a design that could sequester over 1200kg of carbon and recycle 450L of rainwater.
2. Fill, Thrill, Spill
For a simple yet stylish balcony garden, the ME&EM City Garden was a source of inspiration. It boasted large pots featuring tried-and-true plants like Heuchera, Astrantia, and Salvia, adhering to the popular fill, thrill, and spill rule for planters. This rule involves selecting a thriller plant, a filler, and a spiller, creating a harmonious and visually appealing arrangement.
3. Incorporating Water
While water features may have been assumed to be reserved for grand gardens, the tide is turning. In countless balcony displays, water was used to create a soothing environment that benefits one's overall well-being. The Navium Marine: Blue Life Garden, for instance, showcased a cascading ripple-effect cladding that simulates the flow of water for an instant sense of calm.
4. Wildlife Gardening
Butterflies, moths, bees, and hoverflies all rely on gardens for sources of nectar and pollen. Thus, this year saw a focus on creating gardens specifically for pollinators, planting attractive flowers like Agapanthus, Chives, and Kniphofia (or red hot poker) to entice them. Varying these flowers throughout the seasons ensures there's a constant supply of pollen and nectar for bees and other beneficial insects.
5. Striking a Balance
The A Space to Read Balcony Garden, sponsored by Viking, demonstrated an expert hand in plant selection, featuring perennials with long flowering periods, such as Geranium sylvaticum 'Album' and Cornus Kausa 'Milky Way', for year-round interest and versatility. Balancing these long-lasting plants with short-but-sweet annuals like sweet peas creates a visually rewarding and ever-changing balcony garden.
6. Utilizing Vertical Space
Struggling with limited horizontal space in your balcony garden? Look up! Komorebi, the Japanese word for dappled sunlight, inspires this innovative approach to balcony gardening by designing gardens that integrate trees, celebrating nature in small urban spaces. This trend has transformed balconies into oases, from those previously reserved for petunia window boxes.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 balcony gardens serve as a reminder that great design knows no boundaries and that even the smallest spaces can be transformed into a sanctuary. Browse our guide to this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show houseplant trends for more inspiration.
Equip your balcony garden with essential tools like this hori hori knife, an ideal weeding and planting tool, or gardening gloves to protect your hands while tending to plants and soil. Invite pollinators to join your garden with this high-quality fir wood bug hotel, attracting bees, butterflies, and other insects.
- For individuals looking to enhance their home-and-garden lifestyle, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show offers innovative ideas for balcony gardens that cater to various aspects of wellness, such as the Fill, Thrill, Spill concept or the water features trend, providing tranquility and aesthetic appeal.
- Home gardening enthusiasts seeking lifestyle modifications through gardening can explore the home-and-garden sector for ideas, learning about sustainable practices like climate-adapted gardening or wildlife gardening that promote a healthier environment, both indoors and outdoors.
