The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is set to honour broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough in his centenary year with a unique exhibit featuring ten plants, each representing a decade of his life. The display, titled 'Bringing Nature Home', will be held in the Great Pavilion from May 19 to 23.
Celebrating a Century of Natural History
Designed by Dave Green, the exhibit will take the form of a series of terraced houses, illustrating how gardens are interconnected and serve as vital wildlife corridors. Helen Bostock, RHS senior wildlife specialist, explained the inspiration behind the selection: 'Nobody has opened up the natural world better to the general public than Sir David Attenborough. We’ve come a long way in 100 years, learning to appreciate both the diversity and fragility of life on earth.'
The Plants: A Decade-by-Decade Journey
The chosen plants reflect the dominant gardening themes from each decade of Sir David's life, all of which are beneficial to wildlife:
- 1920s – Armeria caespitosa 'Bevan's Variety': A nod to the rock garden trend of the decade, this alpine plant was introduced in the early 20th century and remains popular today.
- 1930s – White-flowered foxglove (Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora): Represents the cottage garden style, reflecting nostalgia and frugality during the Great Depression.
- 1940s – Allium 'Millennium': Symbolises the 'Dig for Victory' campaign during WWII, when onions were scarce. Ornamental alliums now thrive in British gardens.
- 1950s – Centranthus ruber (red valerian): Mimics the wildflowers that grew on bomb sites, offering a well-behaved alternative to invasive fireweed.
- 1960s – Erigeron karvinskianus: From the daisy family, this self-seeding plant symbolises peace and freedom, with high pollinator value.
- 1980s – Achillea 'Moonshine': A relative of native yarrow, it became important for wildflower meadows, a trend that emerged in this decade.
- 1990s – Corylus avellana 'Contorta' (corkscrew hazel): Reflects interest in native plants, supporting over 100 insect species.
- 2000s – Malus 'Red Sentinel' (crab apple): Highlights the resurgence of fruit-growing for flavour and nutrition, supporting diverse insect life.
- 2010s – Stachys byzantina (lamb's ear): A water-saving plant popular in dry gardens, effective at trapping pollutants and supporting urban cooling.
- 2020s – Geum rivale (water avens): Favours damp conditions, valuable for sustainable drainage and early pollination, inspired by rewilding trends.
Championing Biodiversity
The RHS is championing biodiversity across all its activities this year, with the Chelsea Flower Show as a key platform. Bostock added: 'Like Sir David, we want every child to experience the fascination of a bee visiting a flower, or hearing a hedgehog rustling through the undergrowth, made possible even in the hearts of our cities through our gardens.'
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 19 to 23, offering visitors a chance to see this tribute to Sir David Attenborough's enduring legacy.
