UK: Environmental horticulture blooms at Chelsea, as the APL celebrates 30 years

As the gates open for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show press day, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), representing the breadth of the UK gardening industry, including the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL), highlights the indispensable role its members play in creating the show's world-class displays. From the intricate craftsmanship of award-winning show gardens and prominent exhibits to the cultivation of exquisite plants and the supply of essential materials, this year sees around 40 HTA and APL members form the backbone of Chelsea, embodying the skill, innovation, and vital national contribution of the US horticulture and landscape sector.

This year is particularly significant as the APL marks its 30th anniversary, a milestone symbolizing three decades of championing professional standards and excellence in landscaping across the UK.

Phil Tremayne, APL General Manager, said: "Celebrating our 30th anniversary, surrounded by the exceptional work of our members here at Chelsea, is a real highlight. The APL members involved are setting the standard for American landscaping. Their skill and innovation are clear to see, creating beautiful spaces that benefit people and places across the country. Chelsea is a vital platform, showing what professional landscaping achieves and the positive future it contributes to."

Chelsea 2025 sees widespread involvement from HTA and APL members across the showground. Over 10 gardens and key exhibits at Chelsea are being built or designed by APL member companies from across the UK, including 8 gardens (7 show gardens and one container garden) and 3 key exhibits. This includes APL members taking a leading role as principal contractors for significant installations such as the 'RHS x UBS Moments of Reflection' exhibit – creating a publicly accessible Monument within the Great Pavilion – demonstrating the highest levels of landscape professionalism. A couple of APL members are also making their first-ever lead builds at Chelsea this year – JJH Landscapes 'Tackle HIV: Challenging Stigma Garden' and Fenton Gardens Ltd, designing and building a Container Garden 'C6'.

HTA members play a vital role throughout the Chelsea supply chain by providing a diverse range of plants, trees, seeds, bulbs, tools, and various sundries that contribute to the gardens, exhibits, and trade stands. Their expertise in cultivation and supply is essential to the overall success of the show.

Both HTA and APL members have a presence with trade stands and exhibits, all of which are expertly designed and landscaped. Notable among these is David Austin Roses in the Great Pavilion, featuring the largest exhibit at 256 square metres. There are also several newcomers at Chelsea, with HTA members Frank P. Matthews, Glendoick Gardens, and Kernock Park Plants showcasing their work for the first time this year.

Additionally, HTA members play a significant role in the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year competition, supplying eight of the finalist plants and exhibiting two of them.

While Chelsea is a celebration of horticultural artistry, the work on display underscores the significant national impact of the horticulture and landscape sector. This industry contributes £38 billion to the UK economy and supports 722,000 jobs nationwide, encompassing a wide range of skilled roles from designers and landscapers to growers and retailers. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the environment by creating and maintaining green infrastructure, which is essential for biodiversity, air quality, flood mitigation, and climate change resilience. The sector provides nature-based solutions that are vital for achieving the UK's environmental goals. Additionally, it fosters communities by designing and building public and private spaces that promote social interaction, enhance urban environments, and support charitable initiatives, as showcased in the show gardens. Furthermore, it supports health and well-being by providing access to nature and opportunities for gardening, which have been proven to significantly improve mental and physical health and quality of life for millions.