With gardening and spending time outdoors in nature proven to help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and encourage cognitive function, uptake in horticulture as both a hobby and healing therapy is booming. This year, many gardens focus on raising awareness of various health conditions and the benefits of nature for physical and mental health, with particular emphasis on youth wellbeing.

Discarded materials are transformed into beautiful, purposeful garden structures – from recycled steel and reclaimed timber to waste stone and recycled eco-concretes. Water conservation is key, with permeable surfaces and thoughtful hardscaping and landscaping helping to slow, store and safely redirect excess water.

From wild, untamed woodland glens to clever climate and water-resilient planting and daringly different edible and floral plant mixes, garden designers offer a wealth of inspirational softscaping ideas led by eye-catching colour, unusual, sculptural species, and textural nuance.

While soft, serene palettes dominated last year's show, Chelsea 2026 is a riot of colour with vibrant blue, tropical pink, dramatic purple and cheerful yellow blooms. Arid, sun-parched shades of red, orange and brown are also growing in popularity in resilient, water-smart gardens designed to combat climate change.

Garden designers have eschewed pristine perfection in favour of inventive hardscaping solutions created from reused and recycled materials carrying the patina or time and wear. Raw, untreated wood, corroded steel and tin and eco-concretes create eye-catching industrial and soft-edged protective structures, boundaries, seating and planters.

Offering a wealth of inspiration for professional and rookie gardeners alike, even the most stylistically ambitious show gardens this year shun manicured perfection. Key themes include messy, rustic, everyday gardens; the meditative ambience of Japan; colourful playful spaces to spark joy; and wild, untamed woodland escapes.