SGLD showcases Beautiful Biodiversity at Chelsea 2026
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SGLD Installation: Beautiful Biodiversity at RHS Chelsea 2026
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Biodiversity in Action
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Bo Cook MSGLD & Eliza Gray MSGLD
Society of Garden + Landscape Designers (SGLD) will return to RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 with a new installation titled Beautiful Biodiversity, created by SGLD Registered Members Eliza Gray and Bo Cook.
The courtyard-style garden explores the relationship between ecological integrity and refined aesthetics, demonstrating that biodiversity and beautiful design can work in harmony rather than opposition.
Designed as both inspiration and education, the installation offers practical ideas for incorporating wildlife-friendly planting, native species and habitat structures into contemporary gardens without sacrificing visual clarity or design quality.
Beautiful Biodiversity can be found on Chelsea’s Eastern Avenue
The Chelsea Flower Show runs from 19-23 May 2026.
A restrained planting palette of pale pinks, soft blues and whites creates a calm atmosphere, while carefully selected species support pollinators and wider ecological systems.
The hard landscaping combines zinc planters, limestone, reclaimed timber and architectural green screens, forming a structured framework that increases planting density and habitat potential across both vertical and horizontal planes.
At its core, the garden is built around circular economy principles, with all main materials selected for reuse or recycling after the show. Reclaimed ash timber, sourced from trees affected by ash dieback, highlights responsible material use.
Integrated habitat features include log piles, leaf litter zones, aggregates and a gabion bench constructed from reclaimed building materials. These elements support invertebrates, fungi and self-seeding plant life while also forming sculptural design features.
A water bowl planted with native species provides essential resources for wildlife, while varied soil types and substrates create microhabitats that encourage ecological diversity and seasonal change.
The designers emphasise that biodiverse gardens do not need to appear wild or uncontrolled. Instead, careful structure, material selection and planting design can create refined spaces that still actively support wildlife.
The installation also reflects the wider mission of SGLD, highlighting climate resilience, biodiversity restoration and sustainable material use as core principles of modern landscape design.
As stated by SGLD Chair Andrew Duff MSGLD, Beautiful Biodiversity demonstrates how thoughtful design can move beyond aesthetics to actively regenerate and sustain the natural environment.