I was delighted to work once again with The Wildlife Trusts to create a show garden for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, inspired by Britain’s temperate rainforests. Sponsored by Project Giving Back and supported by Aviva, the garden celebrated these rare, mossy woodlands and the national restoration effort underway to revive them.

Modelled on the Dart Valley in Devon, the design featured a raised boardwalk winding through damp, fern-rich planting and a stream inspired by the Dart River, which flowed beneath the path into a tranquil pool. A lush wall of moss and ferns formed the backdrop, reflecting the vertical greenery I remembered from childhood visits to Lydford.

Designed as a domestic interpretation of rainforest planting, the garden included native trees and woodland species such as bluebells, cow parsley and foxgloves. Built by Frogheath Landscapes, it offered visitors an immersive glimpse into a threatened habitat and the hope of its renewal.

For more information on creating your own garden space, along with a full plant list, visit The Wildlife Trusts' website or check out our How to Guide for some rainforest inspired planting plans.

Awards: RHS Silver Gilt Medal and The People’s Choice Award for the “All About Plants"

Press coverage: BBC Gardener’s World, BBC Morning Live, BBC News, ITV News, BBC Devon, Channel 4 News, BBC Countryfile, The Times, The Financial Times, The Guardian, The I, The Sun, The Telegraph, Garden’s Illustrated, House and Gardens, The English Garden, Time and Leisure, Gardening with the RHS Podcast and many more.

Headline sponsor: Project Giving Back in support of The Wildlife Trusts . Further supported by the national programme partner Aviva PLC.

Contractor: Frogheath Landscapes

Maintenance team: Gardens Revived

With thanks to: How Green Ltd, Lincolnshire Pond Plants, Rymer Trees, New Wood Trees, Kevock Plants, Highland Moss, Landscape Plus, The Worm that Turned and Jenny Morton Interior Design