Sanctuary Gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show are the smaller show gardens that focus on contemporary design to showcase the restorative power of gardening. Located in a prominent outdoor position usually on Royal Hospital Way, these gardens offer the opportunity to create an inspiring space that tells an uplifting story about the cause it represents.
Designers will 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. Designers and charities should form a partnership before applying for funding from Project Giving Back.
Sanctuary Gardens are usually located on Royal Hospital Way against the backdrop of the Royal Hospital building. They can range in size from a smaller 6mx9m plot to a larger 10x10m site.
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 Sanctuary Garden category is open both to designers with previous experience of RHS Chelsea and new designers that have not created an RHS Chelsea garden before. Due to the complex nature of the show site, designers with no previous experience should work with an experienced show garden contractor.
Sanctuary Gardens can range in size from a smaller 6mx9m plot to a larger 10x10m site.
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.
Trees, water and a heartwarming dose of joy were the main topics of conversation at the RHS Gardens for the Future press conference this week.
Project Giving Back (PGB) will support 15 gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024, including seven show gardens and two sanctuary gardens that have been announced by the RHS today.
We are now accepting expressions of interest from charities and designers interested in applying to create a fully funded show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. This follows our recent announcement that Project Giving Back is extending its programme of funding for gardens for good causes until 2026. Here we explain in more detail the stages and timeline for the application process.
Project Giving Back (PGB) intends to continue its support of gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2025 and 2026. Expressions of interest for 2025 funding can be submitted via the Project Giving Back website from Friday 22 September to Friday 3 November 2023. All gardens supported by PGB are repurposed in permanent locations around the UK after the show as ongoing legacies for the causes that inspired them.
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.
Trees, water and a heartwarming dose of joy were the main topics of conversation at the RHS Gardens for the Future press conference this week.
Project Giving Back (PGB) will support 15 gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024, including seven show gardens and two sanctuary gardens that have been announced by the RHS today.
We are now accepting expressions of interest from charities and designers interested in applying to create a fully funded show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. This follows our recent announcement that Project Giving Back is extending its programme of funding for gardens for good causes until 2026. Here we explain in more detail the stages and timeline for the application process.
Project Giving Back (PGB) intends to continue its support of gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2025 and 2026. Expressions of interest for 2025 funding can be submitted via the Project Giving Back website from Friday 22 September to Friday 3 November 2023. All gardens supported by PGB are repurposed in permanent locations around the UK after the show as ongoing legacies for the causes that inspired them.