Working with our sponsors Blue Diamond Garden Centres and the National Trust. Our Main Avenue Show Garden celebrates Octavia Hill (1838-1912), the pioneering co-founder of the National Trust, who believed green spaces and gardens were vital in everyone’s life.
The National Trust, Blue Diamond and Ann-Marie Powell Gardens believe in gardens for all.
For people, nature and wildlife – just as Octavia Hill did. She believed everyone needs access to green space and ‘outdoor sitting rooms’ and we have designed this garden to emulate that philosophy.
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The Octavia Hill Garden by Blue Diamond and the National Trust for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024
View Our Plant List Here
The Octavia Hill Garden – From Design to Conception
Listen to the RHS Podcast about our garden!
Before and After
Our Philosophy
The National Trust, Blue Diamond, Ann-Marie Powell Gardens and the RHS all share Octavia’s belief, that everyone needs access to green space, which is even more relevant to society today. Our garden embraces this idea by envisioning how Octavia Hill would work to give urban communities access to nature if she were alive in our present day. If you are living in a neighbourhood built after the millennium, your local park is more likely to be smaller and you are more likely to have to travel further to reach it than pre-2000. Statistical analysis suggests the decline in new green space provision after 2000 can now be associated with at least nine million fewer trips to green space a year.
Gardens have the power to transform lives. Here at AMPG, we feel that we have a social responsibility to promote gardening and to inspire the creation of as many gardens as possible. Our urban parks, verges and gardens can increase plant diversity, connect us with nature and nurture wildlife. Our urban community wildlife garden, set on a brownfield site, shows plants and wildlife can thrive in places you may not expect.
Sustainability
Our garden includes many plants chosen to provide food sources for a range of wildlife, including pollinators, all year round. A 2021 study by scientists at London’s Natural History Museum revealed that the UK is one of the worst-rated nations in the world in retaining our natural animals and plants, whilst the 2021 Bugs Matter findings showed UK’s insect numbers have reduced by a staggering 59% between 2004 and 2021.
We believe that biodiversity isn’t a luxury, or a ‘nice to have’. When it is diminished, we all lose out.
We also believe that great things can be achieved whilst working to the highest environmental standards – using reclaimed materials, peat-free plants, environmentally sensitive hard landscaping and resilient plants.
After the show, the garden will be given a second life at Blue Diamond owned Bridgemere Show Gardens where it will be open to the public to enjoy all year round.
Gardens can and should be for everyone.
Urban Community Wildlife Garden
Honouring Nature and Legacy
Our urban community wildlife garden responds to the idea that if Octavia Hill were alive today, she would still be working to give urban communities access to nature. Research continues to show the importance of green space for both physical and mental health. While celebrating Hill’s legacy, our garden also aims to inspire innovative gardens that connect people with the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
Our design approach is a showcase for sustainability and climate change resilience, with peat-free plants, reclaimed materials and low-carbon build techniques. We want to show that urban brownfield sites can be reclaimed to create beautiful, biodiverse spaces with huge wellbeing benefits.
Our Contractor
Founded by owner and director Jake Catling, The Landscaping Consultants have large talent pool of skilled landscapers, and a proactive commitment to training, they have built a modern landscaping company which aims to create new, exciting opportunities for their workers and clients.
They are proud to be a BALI-registered landscaping company, and a multi-award winning build contractor with a focus on eco build and encouraging youth engagement in the industry. With a strong familiarity with RHS shows, The Landscaping Consultants have a brilliant reputation for dedication, high quality work and client satisfaction.
Our Planting Team
Location Landscapes are experts in garden maintenance and soft landscaping for domestic gardens in Hampshire and the Home Counties. Led by Charles Blumlein, the team have a wealth of experience and are passionate about creating gardens that will bring you endless pleasure.
Their teams of well-trained gardeners are able to offer ongoing advice on the upkeep of your garden as well as providing seasonal pruning, lawn treatments and general maintenance. The soft landscaping teams can manage any size project, from courtyard to country estate. Location Landscapes are proud to be a BALI-registered landscaping company. In our experience they offer an impeccable service to their clients with unmatched attention to detail. This is why we love working with them and are happy to recommend them to so many of our clients.
Meet Our Specialists
We are very lucky to have a brilliant team of specialist working with us on our Chelsea show garden. These talented designers, artisans, manufacturers and contractors are working tirelessly to help bring Octavia Hill’s legacy to the Chelsea Showground in May 2024.
