RHS Chelsea Flower Show never fails to deliver – and 2025 was no exception. The sun shone (mostly), the gardens looked sensational, and the buzz around the showground was electric. As ever, Team Honest was there to support our clients – including the very special launch of The King’s Rose – and soak up the biggest week in the horticultural calendar. Here’s our round up of this year’s instalment of the greatest flower show in the world!
The King’s Rose takes centre stage
12 years in the making and months of hard work behind the scenes, the official launch of David Austin Roses’ new variety, The King’s Rose, took place prior to Press Day on the BBC One launch show. After securing an exclusive feature with the BBC, viewers were treated to a glimpse into the growing process at David Austin Roses’ nursery, before seeing the rose for the first time on stand with anchor presenters Adam Frost and Sophie Raworth.
Created as a tribute to His Majesty King Charles III and the work of The King’s Foundation, this unique rose is the first stripy variety introduced by David Austin Roses, and features delicately papery petals with pink and white stripes – and it proved to be the talk of the show!
On Press Day, guests, media and celebs got a first look at the exquisite bloom in person. We invited key journalists, editors, content creators and celebs to join us to celebrate the launch. Visitors ooh’d and ahh’d with delight as they entered the centre of the secret garden and discovered the new variety nestled within, and everyone enjoyed a macaron or two courtesy of our friends at Le Manoir. From there, the press coverage and social shares rolled in thick and fast, and seeing everyone’s reaction to the rose was truly rewarding.
During the Royal visit, King Charles himself came to admire the rose and Queen Camilla took home a bouquet of blooms to enjoy. But the pinch-me moment for us? Seeing none other than David Beckham sporting The King’s Rose in his lapel. We’ll be dining out on that for a while!
Hillier Garden Centres claims Plant of the Year
It was also a winning week for client Hillier Garden Centres, whose gorgeous new introduction Philadelphus ‘Petite Perfume Pink’ scooped the coveted Plant of the Year title.
The award, judged by a panel of RHS experts, recognises the most innovative and high-performing plants introduced to UK gardens each year. Among this year’s 16 shortlisted entries, Philadelphus ‘Petite Perfume Pink’ was praised for its exceptional fragrance, garden performance and most notably, its status as the first-ever truly pink-flowered Philadelphus.
The plant was bred by Alan Postill, one of the most highly regarded plant breeders in British horticulture. Alan began his remarkable 60-year career at Hillier in 1962, joining the team at just 15 years old, and retired in 2023. Even in retirement, his influence continues, with new plant introductions that are set to inspire and shape UK gardens for generations.
The win is a real testament to his skill, vision and passion for British horticulture – and it was wonderful to see the team receive the well-deserved award.
We also spotted client elho in the wild, having provided its new sereh plant pots to showcase all of the new plants entered this year!
Trends to look out for
If there’s one place to spot the upcoming trends in the gardening world, it’s Chelsea. From drought-tolerant planting to vibrant cottage garden palettes, Chelsea 2025 was bursting with ideas for the seasons ahead. Key themes we spotted included:
🌱 Wild but well-considered — a shift towards looser, naturalistic planting that still feels curated. This approach was evident in several gardens, including The Pathway Garden by Allon Hoskin and Robert Beaudin, which emphasised sustainable creativity using reclaimed materials.
🪴 Pots with purpose — container planting continued to be big news, especially with sustainability and accessibility in mind. The Navium Marine: Blue Mind Garden by Ashleigh Aylett, which won Best Balcony and Container Garden, showcased an innovative use of containers to create a serene space.
🎨 Colour confidence — bright and bold colours, particularly shades of pinks and purples (we’re looking at you, The King’s Rose and Philadelphus ‘Petite Pink Perfume’), made a strong showing.
🐾 Dog-friendly design — inclusive garden design extended to pets, with Monty Don’s RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden featuring animal-safe planting and a space to sit back and enjoy the sunshine with your furry friends. Our highlight? Seeing Monty’s beloved pooch Ned being reunited with his mum and sister!
🤖 Tech in the garden — AI-powered tools and smart gardening gadgets are creeping in, especially in urban gardens where space, time, and data-led decision-making matter. The Avanade Intelligent Garden by Tom Massey and Je Ahn featured sensor-monitored urban trees and app-controlled irrigation systems.
🧠 Gardening for wellbeing — the message that gardening is good for our mental health was loud and clear. The Addleshaw Goddard: Freedom to Flourish Garden by Carey Garden Design Studio won Small Garden of the Year, offering a serene space designed to promote mental wellness.
🌍 Conscious gardening — climate-resilient planting was front and centre, with drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly plants taking precedence. The Pathway Garden by Allon Hoskin and Robert Beaudin highlighted how thoughtful design can help mitigate the effects of extreme weather, earning them the Environmental Innovation Award.
That’s a wrap on Chelsea 2025!
And that’s a wrap on Chelsea 2025! From history and headline-making blooms to celeb and trend-spotting, this year’s show was one to remember. And of course, the cherry on the cake was seeing months of hard work, planning and creativity come to life on the world’s most celebrated gardening stage. Until next year, Chelsea 🌸
Are you exhibiting at next year’s Chelsea Flower Show?
If you’re a brand looking for PR or social media support at next year’s Chelsea Flower Show, or any of the events coming up this summer, we can help! Honest Communications is a specialist gardening agency, and we’ve supported everyone from garden designers and sponsors to horticulture businesses showcasing new products and campaigns at a wide range of gardening events and exhibitions.
Find out more about our Chelsea experience here and get in touch to chat!
