The RSPCA Garden awarded an prestigious silver-gilt medal
The RSPCA Garden at the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show has picked up a prestigious silver-gilt medal from the judging panel, as it spreads an inspiring message about reversing wildlife decline.
The garden - designed by Martyn Wilson - is a modern interpretation of a wildlife sanctuary, filled with ideas for wildlife lovers across the country to recreate at home, whatever space they have available.
The stylish RSPCA RHS Chelsea Flower Show sanctuary garden. Award-winning designer Martyn Wilson has created our design to show that a wildlife garden needn’t be scruffy. It can look contemporary, stylish and well-kept, showcasing high-end art and design, while still providing sanctuary to a wide range of species. All the features in the garden use natural, sustainable or recycled materials, and show how we can have a positive impact on biodiversity.
The RSPCA Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. A central water feature formed from a 9m long rill made of recycled plastic waste is a reference to the RSPCA rescuing almost 4,000 animals trapped in or injured by litter last year (2022). Providing movement, sound and a drink for wildlife, it symbolises the rescue-rehabilitate-release cycle of care given to thousands of animals at the charity’s four specialist wildlife centres. The RSPCA was called to help almost 1,000 wild marine animals last year. Native trees and shrubs that are vital for birds and wildlife can be seen in the RSPCA Chelsea garden. Planting is in a multi-layered naturalistic style in shades of green, whites and tones of blue with more than 2,200 pollinator-friendly plants. Last year the RSPCA was called to help more than 72,000 wild birds - almost 200 every single day.
The RSPCA Garden is a stylish sanctuary for wildlife and people alike, celebrating how animals enrich our lives and highlighting how we can protect them.
Laser-cut Corten steel baskets as a contemporary take on a 'dead hedge' (wildlife-friendly barrier made from cut organic materials such as prunings). The planting in the RSPCA Wildlife sanctuary garden is multi-layered and naturalistic in style and contains more than 2,200 pollinator-friendly native plants.
Rain catcher chain in beautiful rusty tones captures rainwater from the hide. The water feature is designed by Stark and Greensmith
The RSPCA Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. A raised wildlife-watching ‘hide’ made from UK-grown Douglas fir and larch gives stunning views across RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the Royal Hospital Chelsea. This is one of the largest structures at this year’s show. The hide features a green roof and wall-mounted bee hotels designed to be a refuge in nature for an RSPCA volunteer after a busy shift. Volunteers are critical for helping the RSPCA continue its vital work but also in order to have an impact in the wider community. The RSPCA is hoping the Chelsea project inspires people to carry out small acts of kindness for wildlife they share their neighbourhoods with, as part of their Wildlife Friends scheme.
The RSPCA Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The planting in the RSPCA Wildlife sanctuary garden, is multi-layered and naturalistic in style and contains more than 2,200 pollinator-friendly native plants.
Funded by Project Giving Back, our RSPCA wildlife garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 marks the start of our 200th anniversary celebrations in 2024.
Wildlife is under threat – but we all have the power to change that. Together, we can ensure more animals thrive.
The RSPCA’s garden at the Chelsea Flower Show will inspire people across the country to create their own wildlife-sanctuary at home; so together we can help more wild animals thrive. Find out more on the RSPCA’s website