Taking inspiration from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026

The Chelsea Pensioners are already frontrunners for the best house in London award, and for a week each May they’re also contenders for best garden too. The location of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Royal Hospital Chelsea comes alive with gold-standard show gardens, innovative planting techniques and enviable flower beds each spring. Team Patch, a.k.a our Horticultural Lead Kelly Dyer, Creative Lead Ginny Henry and Retail Lead Rachel Horton, headed down to gather a little horti inspiration and check out what’s trending in the world of plants. Here are the top five trends they spotted that you can easily recreate in your outside space at home.

1. Tough growing

As climate change influences what we grow and how we grow it, the creatives at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show are responding with sustainable planting methods and mindful water solutions. “The changing climate is a concern, but it does give us an opportunity to grow plants that were previously considered tender,” says Kelly. “Take drought-tolerant, resilient planting, which was present throughout the show this year. I spotted plants like Australian natives and cycads, which are usually found in arid environments.” For your own outdoor space, plants such as Canary Island date palms, Chamaerops humilis, cordyline and olive trees are good, drought-tolerant options that work in gardens, balconies and patios alike. 

Water usage was also a hot topic at this year’s show, with many Chelsea gardens seeking clever ways to restore, reuse and reclaim water where possible, with rills (a shallow stream or channel), recycled water features, ponds, small fountains and even bowls featured throughout. At Patch, we're big advocates for reusing rainwater wherever possible – not only will your plants prefer it (both indoors and out) but it's a great way to use one of nature's resources. If you have space, a water butt is ideal, but collecting a bowl or bottle will work too. 

2. Big ideas for small spaces

For those with cosy gardens, patios or balconies, this year’s show had plenty to offer. One of the stand-out trends our team spotted was tall plants taking up space in bijou outdoor areas, an unexpected addition to gardens where floor space is limited. “We saw lots of trees in the smaller garden spaces,” Kelly says. “These provide shade, shelter and create the illusion of height, space and garden maturity.” Get the look with a tall and mighty Olive or Bay tree, both of which are narrow enough to fit into cosier areas, while providing the height and structure shown at Chelsea.

3. Character building

The bold medal was in hot contention, as this year’s crop of gardens looked to stand out with bright colour and characterful style. Echoing a recent trend in interior design, gardens showcased individuality, personal style and bold, contrasting colour palettes, with spaces that felt unique to the people who created them. “The gardens this year reflected those who live in them, rather than following strict rules,” Kelly explains. “There were lots of pops of colour, contrasted together as a way to let personality shine through.” How to follow their lead? Simply choose what speaks to your style. 

4. Looks good, tastes good

Outdoor spaces don’t need to be just practical or just pretty – even in the smallest of areas, you can cater to both. So says the creatives at Chelsea, who this year opted for a combination of the two. “The show gardens put a new spin on how we use outdoor areas, especially in the balcony gardens,” Kelly says, “with edible and decorative plants sharing space with places to relax.” It’s all about maximising on space, even if that space is minimal. Use citrus trees to add colour, scent and fruit to your patio, or line your window boxes with herbs for multipurpose greenery.

5. Chelsea says relax

It’s time to loosen the proverbial tie. At a show that has long been twinned with formality, Chelsea gardeners took a carefree, relaxed approach to planting in 2026. Though still deliberate and carefully considered, the flowers and plants chosen were less formal than years gone by. “Planting was more in harmony and reflective of the British countryside, rather than forced upon it, including a move towards plants that were previously considered weeds or wildflowers,” Kelly says. “There were lots of poppies, evening primrose, foxgloves and verbascum – all ephemeral self-seeding plants that are in tune with seasonality.” Though in reality these early and late flowering plants will come in waves, meaning there will be periods of patchiness, it’s still good news for those of us who don’t have perfect borders at home. Simply scattering a packet of seeds can give you a taste of the Chelsea look. Gold medal, incoming.