4 February 2025
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Kim Stoddart talks rain gardens, resilient plants and some of the really cool ideas from RHS Chelsea Flower Show
I can remember , almost a decade ago , interviewing many of the RHS Chelsea flower show garden designer forthe Guardiannewspaper . I used to like walking around the showground on the Sunday before it open up , as the designers devise their work for judgement , and seeing the gardens quietly at a gentler stride .
It ’s bewitching to see the behind - the - view final primp and shine stage , the comparative composure before the irritable tempest of press day and the flurry of the crowds that descend during the following week . I remember one year trying to see which non - traditional , or slimly naughty gardening practices the fashion designer would let out they on the Q.T. utilize at home when no one was front . Less controlled time- or money - saving hack , weed growing or rule - breaking practices and the corresponding as a stark but refreshing contrast to the fantastic show that has long been RHS Chelsea Flower Show .
I got some interesting snippet , some graphic designer were a little pick out - aback at my questioning , while the likes of Adam Frost , Dan Pearson and Alan Gardener munificently extend good - peppy and useful idea .
Our adorable magazine has antecedently been more than a little questioning of the display in old age gone by , arguing how little it offer up for ‘ literal ’ people and horticulture on the primer coat . Times are changing and the 2023 show feature weeds and wildlife , while this yr has a focus on sustainability , money - relieve and wellbeing for all . In my scene , there is much to look up to and learn from this year , to take onwards into a more sustainable , forward - thinking future .
Rain garden
As even readers of my penning will be aware , I ’ve had frontline experiences with water . My garden flood , and were under water , for a good few week well-nigh a 10 ago . In more recent year my private weewee provision ( a well ) has run so teetotal in the summertime there has been no urine at all at times come in out the family taps . As a resultant role there are many defences I have employed to conserve and contain body of water throughout the year .
Kim pictured in front of her wild and protective back-of-garden bioswale
From slowing , spread and sinking an excess of rain out of harm ’s way with swales , berm and streamlet , to allowing fantastic plant like rushes to grow between trees in an area that was previously prone to winter flood , there is a lot you could do easily and effectively to help retard the flow and work up resiliency in a comparatively low - toll way .
Some of the highlighting when it make out to water system resilience at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year include the Water Aid Garden , which features a rainwater harvesting pavilion , the National Autistic Society Garden with its waterfall roof which feeds into a swale , and the Water Saving Garden with rain water harvest video display by Affinity Water . There is also a Flood Resilient Garden which features a swale , pool and soak away .
Rain pee harvest home
The National Autistic Society Garden, Show Garden, designed by Sophie Parmenter and Dido Milne
In a sustainable gardening organization , when a material is in copious supply , you collect and use it sagely . In the case of rain , there has been a lot to spare over the months previous . A provision of harvested rain water is fantastically important during the summer months when the ground is dry , yet collecting this resource can also facilitate slow the flow ( and protect against a build up of water ) , in areas prone to mild flooding .
There are many fancy piss storage options usable nowadays for every size and quad , yet even the use of quotidian collection containers like drainage basin placed alfresco can serve . careful water harvesting vessels can be sourced within your local biotic community and it is fun to get originative and see what you’re able to find for free . The obvious but of import caveat is to be thrifty to check what your salvaged water butt held antecedently , as you do n’t need to work with something that might pollute your precious water supply before you ’ve used it . From old industrial solid food supply containers thoroughly wash out , to water tank barrels and bins , puzzle out with what you could find to maximize opportunity .
Do n’t forget to cover your waterbutts to avoid the build up of twigs and leaves which can otherwise clog ( and equipment casualty ) hosepipe organ pipe , taps and watering potty . I do like to leave at least one storage whole uncovered because the bird love slop around having a bathroom given the opportunity , which is a delight to see .
The National Autistic Society Garden, Show Garden, designed by Sophie Parmenter and Dido Milne
you may divert water with the use of channels or rills which can be backfilled with crushed rock to make an attractive designing feature . Why not lead water into a dipping pool , or wet area , so that further rain can be stash away for use during the summertime months , making an attractive wildlife - favorable feature article in the lag ?
FACT – You ’ll be perhaps astonished at how much rain can be harvest from a comparatively small roof space , even a shed . For exemplar one 93 sq m roof ( 1,000 square -foot ) would yield 600 gallons of water from just one inch of rain .
More resilient plants for blotto areas
The Water Saving Garden, Container Garden, Sam Proctor
Some recommendation from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gardens this year
The Flood Resilient Garden features a scope of ferns which can also expand in area which are damp and suspect , help to boost soil structure and afford tribute . The garden also includes Pollarded willows , which are happy growing in moist earth . I use both of these in my garden in the areas prostrate to flooding and they shape well .
The WaterAid Garden features a range of interesting plant for different water - challenged areas includedAlnus glutinosaAlder tree which can survive submerge in water as its wood hardens .
WaterAid Garden, Show Garden, designed by Tom Massey and Je Ahn
Various varieties of iris sport across many of the gardens . It ’s not surprising as they are a very lively , pretty , super low - care plant which can dutifully return year on year out in a form of habitats with minimum try , such as the Laevigatae or water iris for wetter surface area .
Iris sibirica ‘Silver Edge’
Laevigatae or water iris
