The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, returning to the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea from May 20-24, 2025, promises to showcase cutting-edge garden design, spectacular floral displays, and innovative sustainability solutions, with highlights including Monty Don's debut as a garden designer and the first-ever display of seagrass, the ocean's only flowering plant.
Monty Don's RHS Dog Garden
For the first time in his career, beloved Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don will design a garden for the Chelsea Flower Show 2025, creating The RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden in collaboration with horticulturist Jamie Butterworth and Form Plants.
This dog-friendly space celebrates the UK's reputation as a nation of both garden enthusiasts and dog lovers, featuring a hardy, low-maintenance lawn at its center-perfect for canine sprawling, sleeping, and play.
In a groundbreaking move, Monty's golden retriever Ned has actively participated in the garden's design, helping create the pathways through the planting by following his natural instincts.
The garden will include numerous dog-friendly elements: a stream for dogs to wallow in, a doghouse made from reclaimed timber with a squashy sofa, and even a throw crafted from one of Monty's old pairs of trousers. After the show concludes, this joyful garden will be replanted at Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, where it will continue to bring pleasure to rescue animals. The public can also participate by submitting photos of their own dogs for potential inclusion in the garden's display.
AI-Powered Climate-Resilient Gardens
One of the most innovative highlights of Chelsea Flower Show 2025 is the Avanade "Intelligent Garden," designed by RHS Gold Medal winner Tom Massey in collaboration with Microsoft. This groundbreaking installation showcases how artificial intelligence can revolutionize sustainable gardening practices in the face of climate change. The garden features advanced sensors that monitor soil conditions, tree health, and environmental factors in real-time, with an AI-powered "TreeTalk" feature allowing visitors to have one-on-one conversations with trees about their specific care needs.
Climate resilience is a central theme across the 2025 show, with several gardens demonstrating how technology can help combat environmental challenges. AI-driven systems optimize watering through moisture sensors, detect air quality and soil pH, and provide gardeners with data-informed insights to increase plant survival rates. The "Garden of the Future," sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, further explores this intersection of technology and sustainability, featuring climate-resilient crops and innovations designed to help communities adapt to changing weather patterns. As urban tree mortality rates reach alarming levels-with 50% not surviving beyond 10 years-these AI applications represent a promising solution for creating more sustainable and resilient green spaces in our increasingly unpredictable climate.
The Great Pavilion Highlights
At the heart of the Chelsea Flower Show 2025 stands the Great Pavilion, a 12,000 square meter floral wonderland described as the "crown jewel of Chelsea." This magnificent space will showcase the finest blooms from the world's top nurseries and plant breeders, with special attention on the prestigious Plant of the Year competition that celebrates exceptional new varieties and emerging trends in garden plant breeding.
Blue Diamond Garden Centres has two shortlisted entries for the coveted Plant of the Year 2025 award: the Hydrangea Fairytrail® White, featuring mophead-shaped flowers on trailing stems that bloom from mid-spring, and Fuchsia MAMBO from the Patio Dancer Series, which combines traditional aesthetics with earlier flowering.
The pavilion will also feature the celebrated Floristry and Floral Design competition, with displays incorporating vibrant color trends and innovative materials. Last year's gold medal winners included spectacular designs like "Colour and Transparency" with neon-hued poppies and irises, and "Spectrum of Fire" inspired by climate change with its dramatic willow structure framing fiery blooms.
Staying at Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel
For guests attending the Chelsea Flower Show 2025, the Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel offers an ideal blend of comfort, convenience, and boutique charm. Nestled in a tranquil garden square just a short walk from Paddington Station, the hotel provides easy access to the Royal Hospital Chelsea via public transport or taxi.
Hotel highlights include:
- Stylish, soundproofed rooms with Victorian features and modern comforts
- Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service
- A well-equipped fitness suite and beautiful park-facing views
- On-site dining at Bella Italia, serving Italian classics and continental breakfasts
Guests can relax after a day of flower-filled inspiration with a stroll through nearby Hyde Park, or enjoy a peaceful drink in the hotel's garden terrace. Whether you’re visiting for a day or staying for the week, the Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel ensures a restful and well-located base during your Chelsea Flower Show experience.
Book Now