Chelsea Flower Show Highlights Unusual Elements

This year’s Chelsea Flower Show, celebrating its 112th anniversary, has taken a quirky turn with unexpected features like Frisbees, solar panels, and even toilets showcasing practicality in gardening. Traditionally, we see peonies and roses, but this time, a garden designed by Matthew Butler and Josh Parker highlights a bathroom setup that converts human waste into biochar compost, ideal for veggies.

“We transform solids into biochar and liquids into safe water for ornamental plants,” Butler shared, demonstrating with a pot of what he described as “light, miserable soil.” A drawer next to the toilet makes it easy to pull out the contents for use in enhancing garden soil.

Not only that, but the garden is equipped with ground-mounted solar panels to power the irrigation pump. With the UK facing a hot, dry spell, the importance of irrigation is more pressing than ever. In response to the ongoing climate crisis, this garden showcases drought-resistant crops that can thrive in home gardens.

Butler expressed satisfaction with their chickpeas, saying, “They’re growing quite well.” He added that sweet potatoes are becoming more prevalent in the UK, especially in the southern regions.

Another exhibitor, Lucy Hatchings, is exploring drought-tolerant crops in the Great Pavilion. “We’re in East Anglia, and we’ve barely had any rain for over a month,” she noted. “Leaf greens often bolt under these conditions, so we’re trying varieties like Amaranth.” Despite the challenges, Hatchings sees some positives. “If we keep them watered, this could be a fantastic year for tomatoes. Drought actually seems to intensify their flavor!”

In a fun twist, Monty Don showcased a dog-friendly garden featuring his Golden Retriever, Ned, who was seen playing with toys on a specially designed lawn safe for pets. “You can already see some wear and tear on the grass,” Don remarked. “By the end of the week, it’ll probably look quite battered, but that’s just the nature of it.” He even pointed out how Ned had created paths through flower beds, indicating that the local foxes had already been enjoying those spots.

On a royal note, Queen Camilla is expected to visit the garden with Morley, a new terrier she’s adopted, and the garden will be relocated to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home post-show.

While dogs are celebrated in Chelsea, the same can’t be said for cats in the songbird survival garden. Susan Morgan, CEO of Charityson Bird Survival, explained that thorny plants were specifically chosen to deter cats from preying on birds. “Look at it—cats really don’t like to climb this,” she said, gesturing to the broad-leaved Cockspur and its thorns.

This garden aims to support the sharply declining songbird population in the UK, filled with berry-producing plants like blackcurrants and alpine strawberries, as well as flowers that attract pollinators. “We’ve also added thick yew hedges, perfect for nesting,” Morgan mentioned.

Though she hasn’t yet seen songbirds taking advantage of the garden, the signs of their presence are there. “I’m usually busy during the day, but the plants have bird droppings. I think I’ll come back at night and see if I can spot a Blackbird,” she added.

The press day of the show saw various celebrities enjoying the gardens before the public opening.