Chelsea Flower Show 2026: finalising our plant list at Provender Nurseries
Our journey towards the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 continues to gather momentum, and last month brought an exciting milestone. We spent a full day at Provender Nurseries—our plant suppliers for the show—with Matt James of James + Cook Landscapes, who is leading our planting team for Chelsea. Together, we carefully selected trees and refined the planting palette that will shape the atmosphere of our show garden. It was one of those days where ideas shift from sketches and spreadsheets into something tangible, and we’re thrilled to share it with you.
Discussing all things plants with the team at Provender and Matt James from James + Cook Landscapes.
A warm welcome from the Provender team
From the moment we arrived, we were met with enthusiasm and expertise. The Provender team has a deep understanding of the unique pressures that come with designing for Chelsea, including tight timelines, precise growing conditions, and the search for show quality plants that look perfect at exactly the right time.
Walking the nursery with them allowed us to look at potential specimens with fresh perspective. Their insights into availability, plant health, long term shaping, and suitability for the exact microclimate of the show were invaluable.
Walking around the Provender Nurseries site
Selecting the trees: setting the tone
Trees are the backbone of any garden, but in a Chelsea show garden, where every leaf is scrutinised, they are especially important. We reviewed a range of specimens, comparing structure, character, and overall presence.
Some were instantly captivating while others required a little imagination to picture how they will develop. Standing among them and visualising how they will frame the space was a surreal reminder of how close we are getting.
Finalising the plant list
After months of concept development, mood boards, colour studies, and horticultural research, this visit gave us the opportunity to sit down with the Provender team and review the planting scheme in detail. With most perennials dormant at this time of year, the focus shifted to thoughtful discussion — exploring availability, growing conditions, and how each plant will contribute to the garden’s character when it comes to life in spring.
Together, we refined combinations that had, until now, only existed on paper. Talking through structure, texture, timing, and overall balance helped us shape a palette that feels cohesive and expressive. Even without the plants in full growth, the atmosphere of the garden began to feel more real. The final plant list now feels carefully considered and aligned with the story we hope to tell at Chelsea.
A day filled with possibility
As we left Provender, with notes and photos in hand, we felt energised and inspired. Each visit like this brings us one step closer to the final garden, and one step closer to walking into the showground in May 2026.
Sharing this process with you means so much to us. Designing a Chelsea garden is a once in a lifetime experience, and bringing you along for every stage, from big decisions to early morning nursery visits, is part of what makes the journey special.
Thank you for following along. More updates are on the way as we continue shaping the garden we cannot wait to reveal.