A garden at the 2026 Chelsea Flower Show is being created in memory of a young Jersey woman who died following a battle with ovarian cancer.
The “Silent No More” show garden aims to spark conversations about gynaecological cancers, with its design symbolising the female body. The project was inspired by Emily Plane, who campaigned for greater awareness of cancer symptoms before her death at the age of 28.
Emily’s mother, Penny Plane, is leading the project in partnership with the Lady Garden Foundation. The garden will debut at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2026 before being relocated to Jersey later in the summer.
Emily was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at just 23 after suffering stomach pains for a year. Initially, her symptoms were misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), delaying treatment. Shortly before her death in November 2023, she visited the Chelsea Flower Show and suggested the women’s health charity create a garden to raise awareness.
Penny Plane said her grief motivated her to take on the project.“I was angry actually, and I think that’s one of the stages of grief,” she said. “Talking to other people who’ve lost their children early, you’re angry, thinking why couldn’t I have done something? All of that emotion has been channelled into doing this garden.”
The 100m (328ft) garden will feature four curved walls, each standing 2.5m (8ft) high, along with a pool of water and five sculptures. Each sculpture will represent one of the five gynaecological cancers: ovarian, cervical, vaginal, womb and vulval cancer. Seating areas will also be included to encourage visitors to pause and discuss women’s health.
Mrs Plane said earlier awareness could have changed her daughter’s outcome.“If Emily had known about the Lady Garden Foundation before her diagnosis and looked at the symptoms, they might have found it much earlier,” she said. “We need to talk about these things… it might feel uncomfortable, but we must.”
The Silent No More garden will be on display at the Chelsea Flower Show from 19 to 23 May 2026. It will then travel to Jersey in June, where it is expected to appear at locations including Trinity Churchyard and St Peter’s Valley.
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