My Favorite Garden – The Glasshouse – Jo Thompson – Gold Medal

My favorite garden was the first exhibit along Main Avenue for The Glasshouse and designed by Jo Thompson. I met Jo earlier in May when she had spoken at the Andalusia Symposium here in Philadelphia. Somehow she managed transatlantic travel and a stunning Chelsea Flower Show garden for The Glasshouse. This is a not-for-profit that teaches horticulture to women coming out of prison to provide a chance at a new and productive life. Jo’s brief was to show strong beauty. She used a dynamic yet muted color palette of plums and apricots that somehow really worked.

At the back of the garden there was a pavillion-glasshouse made of recycled acrylic. The doors could open and close to allow views out to the garden.

Favorite Chelsea Flower Show Color – Crushed Mulberry

Crushed Mulberry was my favorite Chelsea Flower Show Color this year. Strongly represented in Jo’s exhibit but also popping up elsewhere.

Other Gardens that Caught my Eye

The King’s Trust Garden: Seeding Success – Joe Perkins – Gold Medal

The Hospitalfield Arts Garden- Nigel Dunnett – Silver Gilt Medal

Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden – Duncan Hall and Nick Burton – Silver-Gilt – People’s Choice Small Garden

Cha No Niwa – Japanese Tea Garden – Kazuyuki Isihara – Best Show Garden – Gold Medal – People’s Choice

In the Great Pavilion – Lots of Plants

My favorite display in the Great Pavilion was the Benton End Irises stand with specimens in front and botanical illustrations behind them. Such a treat to meet Sarah Cook – the Benton End Iris expert who holds the National Collection.

Other plants that I admired were the ‘Crystal Fountain’ clematis on the Raymond Evison display and the rose displays that drew me in with the fragrance and wow factor.

RHS Plant of the Year 2025

Every year the Royal Horticultural Society decides on a Plant of the Year. I loved their choice this year which was a small mock orange in pink!

Final Thoughts

The Chelsea Flower Show is a great chance to mingle with plant people and the plants that we love. It renews the soul and excites the brain. Thoughts of new garden ideas flow freely. There are too many gardens to describe them in detail – this is a personal summary of things that I liked. For a full overview go to the website of the Royal Horticultural Society who put on the show.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show

The gardens of Chelsea will continue to inspire people when they are re-located to their new permanent positions. I hope that you can find a new plant or design idea for your garden.

Bye for now Gardening Friends. Cheers, Jenny Rose Carey