Final plans for the RHS and King’s Foundation Feature Garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show approved by King Charles III.
At a meeting at Highgrove, the team behind the RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden gathered to finalise the plans for the RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden, which celebrates and encourages engagement with nature, gardening and careers in horticulture.
The meeting convened His Majesty The King, Royal Founding President of The King’s Foundation and Royal Patron of the RHS; Sir David Beckham, King’s Foundation Ambassador; Alan Titchmarsh CBE, King’s Foundation and RHS Ambassador; and Frances Tophill, the garden’s designer. They were joined by trainees and apprentices from RHS Garden Wisley and Highgrove, who will contribute to the garden’s construction and planting.
The project forms part of a wider collaboration between the RHS and The King’s Foundation, both of which run education and training initiatives in horticulture and related land-based skills. The RHS, founded in 1804, focuses on gardening outreach, research and community programmes, while The King’s Foundation delivers training in traditional crafts, sustainability and environmental management, as well as the management and development gardens on behalf of His Majesty, including those at Highgrove, Dumfries House and the Castle of Mey.
Alan Titchmarsh CBE, King’s Foundation and RHS Ambassador, said: “As a long-time supporter of both the RHS and The King’s Foundation, I am delighted to lend my horticultural expertise to the Curious Garden. Curiosity is really the beginning of any gardening journey – and certainly that’s how I began my career – so I hope this work inspires a new generation of gardeners to explore their talents through the incredible training and work experience schemes available via the RHS and The King’s Foundation.”
In an earlier announcement Tophill explained that design incorporates contributions from the three ambassadors while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability, horticultural education and high-quality horticultural practice. The Curious Garden will include a beehive, inspired by The King and Sir David’s enthusiasm for beekeeping and producing natural honey. Other design elements already announced, include an easel created by Snowdon School of Furniture Graduate Eleanor Pickin, who met those involved in the garden design at the Highgrove furniture workshops, seven raised beds to nod to Sir David’s iconic football shirt number, as well as roses by David Austin Roses for The King, Sir David and Alan Titchmarsh
“As my first Chelsea Garden for the RHS, I am thrilled to be working on such a special design. It has been inspiring to spend time at Highgrove and learn more about His Majesty’s approach to gardening and how he incorporates his Harmony philosophy into all of the work that takes place there – which we have brought to the designs for the garden. I can’t wait to share the Curious Garden with the world!” said Tophill.
Sir David, King’s Foundation Ambassador, added: “Both The King’s Foundation and the RHS do such great work in protecting and promoting green spaces across the UK. I want to help encourage a new generation to appreciate the benefits of nature and get involved in gardening. It’s been fun to be a part of creating the Curious Garden and I’m excited for people to see it at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.”
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