A wholesale plant nursery supplying perennials, shrubs, trees, topiary and hedging for landscape architects, garden designers and landscapers from their 17 acre, North Hampshire site, Hortus Loci have been growing plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for over 25 years.
Growing plants for the shows, especially the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a hugely challenging process, a substantial business risk and an almighty responsibility. The process involves much careful planning, precise timing, and attention to detail, not to mention the added logistical challenges of getting that precious cargo to the show, without undoing all that hard work. Nurseries grow vast quantities of show worthy plants – all of which are to peak exactly for the show, whilst not interfering the daily running of the business. Not a job for the faint hearted – especially considering the increasing challenges posed by erratic weather conditions.
Taking to social media on the closing day of the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the veteran nursery warned that without more recognition and appreciation for their work, (new) growers will be reluctant to grow for the show(s). Without the continuity of growers and nurseries involved in the show, explains the nursery, there are risks for the future of flower shows.
Hortus Loci argues that even though, suppliers are (sometimes) added to show garden descriptions which filters through to (some) media coverage, unlike the designers and landscapers, there is relatively little, to no public recognition for the nurseries and growers involved in the show gardens. Designers, garden sponsors and landscapers are accredited with an award for their valuable work, but not the talents that produced the incredible plants on the show gardens. An important omission, argues Mark Straver, CEO of Hortus Loci, as the risk of growing plants for shows and the capital required to do so, is substantial.
“Many younger generations of nurseries and plant growers are hesitant to get involved and supply plants to RHS Chelsea Flower Show. And for good reason – it’s incredibly risky! It’s a year of hard work and investment, growing 50% more plants than needed as a backup in case things go wrong. And thanks to climate change, things can go wrong! More frequent weather extremes are having a big impact and making it harder and harder every year,” writes Straver.
He adds: “And is it even worth it? Garden designers can (quite rightly) turn into overnight stars after a successful year at Chelsea, with plenty of press coverage and interviews. Architects and builders win awards for their hard work and skills, too. But plant growers and nurseries often get minimal recognition – in fact, it’s not rare to see them missed off the show garden boards entirely.”
Network of nurseries
Show garden growing is also not exclusive to the “big boys” but also involves a mix of smaller, specialist nurseries, such as Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants and How Green Nursery, who grew plants for the 2025 Jo Thompson designed, Glasshouse Garden.
Commenting on the Hortus Loci post, a spokesperson from the Cottage Herbery nursery, which closed in 2023, wrote: “Good to hear…….. we often supplied show plants back in the early 2000s never once getting any credit. The stress was huge constantly watching for any signs that would scupper all the hard work. One year Mr Titchmarsh every night stood by our Angelica’s to deliver his opening piece only we knew the skill it had taken to get them to Chelsea in prime condition. Good luck to any young ones that sign up for the job hopefully they will get handsomely paid and get the recognition they deserve.”
Hortus closed with, “We’re a proud supplier for RHS Chelsea and have been for many years – and we want everyone to look for more ways to encourage the next generation of plant suppliers to get involved. More recognition, appreciation and rewards must be given to nurseries and plant growers to encourage them to take part. Find ways to make the risk worth it for them! Because if more don’t start getting involved and learning the ropes, there’s no future for these career-defining flower shows once the more experienced ‘veteran’ growers retire.”
From the responses to the Hortus Loci post, there is general agreement from the industry that more recognition needs to be bestowed on growers and nurseries for their involvement in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Tom Hoblyn, garden designer of the 2025, Hospice UK Garden of Compassion, wrote “This needs to be addressed as it’s a big concern.”
Martyn Wilson of Wilson Associates Design, said: “Nurseries and growers are the absolute backbone of not only show gardens but the horticultural industry – no plants, no gardens! We (and I) rely on your knowledge, expertise and support.”
Jekka McVicar, a regular show supplier of herbs said: “This is the first year since 1993 we have not delivered plants to Chelsea. Quite simply without plants there are NO FLOWER SHOWS.”
Garden Designer Nico Howard wrote, “Such an important post, thank you for saying this. The current format puts enormous pressure on growers, who shoulder much of the risk with little of the recognition. And in a time of climate unpredictability and tightening budgets, it’s no surprise that so many are hesitant. It’s time to radically rethink how Chelsea works. What if, instead of a single, high-stakes week, we moved toward a summer-long format, one that allows gardens to evolve naturally through the season? Fewer plants would need to be forced into artificial readiness, and it would showcase a designer’s true horticultural skill, working with change, adaptation and growth, not just the moment of perfection. It would also honour the growers and nurseries in a more sustainable way, giving breathing space and real value to what they do best; produce extraordinary plants, not miracles on a deadline. Change is overdue, and it’s ideas like these that could make the show more relevant, more inclusive, and more rooted in the future of gardening.”
Many made the important point that this is not just an issue relating to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, but is a reflection of much broader, industry wide issue. Attracting new, young talent to into plant production is challenging (not unique to the UK by any means) and needs addressing. Fully accrediting the work however, seems a very good place to start.
