Show Gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show represent the pinnacle of excellence in horticulture and design. Project Giving Back welcomes applications from designers who have previous show garden experience either at RHS Chelsea or at another RHS flower show, depending on size of garden applied for. Working with a UK registered charity, the garden should tell a strong and engaging story about the cause.
We will make our 2026 show garden selection by initially revisiting applications from previous years. If you have not applied to Project Giving Back in the past, you are still very welcome to register your expression of interest in September 2024, and we will be inviting a small number of applicants to submit proposals for consideration by our panel in the new year.
Since we first encouraged applications for garden funding in 2021, we have received over 400 expressions of interest from designers and charities keen to showcase their work at RHS Chelsea. Due to the volume of applications, and the competitive nature of our process, we have only been able to fund 10% of the gardens that have applied to date. With this in mind, we will make our 2026 show garden selection by initially revisiting applications from previous years.
Designers must be keen to collaborate with a UK registered charity to create a garden that not only showcases excellent design but also tells a compelling story about a cause to help raise awareness and fulfil its objectives.
We encourage designers and charities to form a partnership before applying for funding from Project Giving Back. However, if you are yet to form a partnership between a designer and a good cause and would like to arrange a guidance call with the Project Giving Back team, please get in touch.
The size of garden allocated usually depends on the experience and aspirations of the team and can range in size from a smaller 10mx12m site to the larger 10mx20m sites on Main Avenue.
All PGB funded show gardens will follow the usual RHS application process and being accepted for funding by PGB does not mean automatic acceptance by the RHS. Gardens supported by Project Giving Back will be acknowledged as such on show signage, in the RHS Show Guide and on the RHS website.
The show garden category is open to both established designers with previous Chelsea experience, and up and coming designers who have exhibited at other RHS shows and are now keen to take on the challenge of Chelsea.
We encourage designers and charities to form a partnership before applying for funding from Project Giving Back. However, if you are yet to form a partnership between a designer and a good cause and would like to arrange a guidance call with the Project Giving Back team, please get in touch.
The annual Gardens for Good Causes Exhibition will be on display at the Garden Museum in London from 13 - 29 September
Since Project Giving Back (PGB) started funding gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2022, our unique grant-making charity has had a significant impact - not only on the world-famous flower show and the charities who have used the opportunity to raise funds and awareness, but also on the communities where the gardens find permanent homes after the show has closed. All 60 gardens PGB will fund between 2022 and 2026 will have a life after RHS Chelsea in permanent locations around the UK.
It is 30 years since Mark Fane built his first garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and this year will be the last. As Crocus bows out of the show, Mark reflects on their incredible legacy of designer partnerships that have delighted show visitors and viewers and inspired a new generation of designers, landscapers and nursery folk.
On Tuesday 26 March 2024, Rosie Atkins received an RHS Elizabeth Medal of Honour (EMH), in recognition of her contribution to horticulture. Rosie talks about her career and what receiving the EMH means to her.
All About Plants is the only scheme that is for the specific benefit of horticultural charities. Applicants
Open to expressions of interest
Deadline for expressions of interest
Applicants screened and long-list ready for review by PGB panel
Long list of applicants invited to submit written brief + moodboards for Monday 28th November
Shortlist of applicants informed and given a grant to evolve application into formal presentation including concept sketch, masterplan, planting plan, budget breakdown and storytelling strategy for the good cause
Shortlisted applicants meet and present to PGB selection panel
PGB funding choices selected and informed
PGB Workshop at The Garden Museum
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 applications open
RHS selection panel decisions (exact date TBC)
PGB funding contracts and payment schedules in place
Open to expressions of interest
Deadline for expressions of interest
Applicants screened and long-list ready for review by PGB panel
Long list of applicants invited to submit written brief + moodboards by Monday 28th November
Shortlist of applicants informed and given a grant to evolve application into formal presentation including concept sketch, masterplan, planting plan, budget breakdown and storytelling strategy for the good cause
Shortlisted applicants meet and present to PGB selection panel
PGB funding choices selected and informed
PGB Workshop at The Garden Museum
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 applications open
RHS selection panel decisions (exact date TBC)
PGB funding contracts and payment schedules in place
Yes. While experience of designing and / or building a show garden is beneficial, we are keen to encourage new talent and do not require Chelsea experience in some of our funding categories. Every design that PGB commits to funding then goes before the RHS selection panel, who is likely to favour those who have exhibited at one of the other RHS shows like RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival or RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.. So, for Show Garden applications, you have a better chance of being accepted if you have designed a garden at one of the other RHS shows. However, please do not let this prevent you from applying - the category 'All About Plants' is designed to encourage new creative talent and we are keen to hear from all interested designers.
Project Giving Back is not an alternative to the RHS selection process. Our aim is to identify interesting designers, nurseries and horticultural groups and encourage them to apply for PGB funding in partnership with a good cause. If you are successful in being selected by Project Giving Back, you will still need to apply to the RHS in the usual way and PGB funding is not a guarantee of space allocation at the show.
Yes. We would encourage you to reapply to the PGB funding application process with a new concept and design. If you are not successful in receiving PGB funding, you may of course continue with an application to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and we would encourage you to find an alternative source of funding.
The annual Gardens for Good Causes Exhibition will be on display at the Garden Museum in London from 13 - 29 September
Since Project Giving Back (PGB) started funding gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2022, our unique grant-making charity has had a significant impact - not only on the world-famous flower show and the charities who have used the opportunity to raise funds and awareness, but also on the communities where the gardens find permanent homes after the show has closed. All 60 gardens PGB will fund between 2022 and 2026 will have a life after RHS Chelsea in permanent locations around the UK.
It is 30 years since Mark Fane built his first garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and this year will be the last. As Crocus bows out of the show, Mark reflects on their incredible legacy of designer partnerships that have delighted show visitors and viewers and inspired a new generation of designers, landscapers and nursery folk.
On Tuesday 26 March 2024, Rosie Atkins received an RHS Elizabeth Medal of Honour (EMH), in recognition of her contribution to horticulture. Rosie talks about her career and what receiving the EMH means to her.