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.
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.
For the last 20+ years I’ve been celebrating IWD in the corporate world … a world where we’ve used the day to celebrate the progress and achievements being made. And that’s been important because, let’s face it, there are still today material discrepancies in the number of women in senior and leadership roles, and in gender pay. Corporates now recognise the issue and, in most cases, are working hard to address the imbalances. However, targets of 40% of women on Boards and an 8% gender pay gap shows there is still a long way to go, and it’s a nut that hasn’t been cracked.
We are delighted to be supporting all six of the All About Plants gardens at RHS Chelsea this May. These small gardens use the power of plants to highlight the work of some amazing charitable causes and showcase new designers and specialist growers and nurseries.
Project Giving Back exists to amplify the work of charitable causes in the UK. We fulfil our purpose by funding gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The gardens are first a catalyst for engagement at the world-renowned Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show, before being relocated or repurposed to permanent sites across the UK creating an ongoing legacy and benefit to the causes and their communities.
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.
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.
For the last 20+ years I’ve been celebrating IWD in the corporate world … a world where we’ve used the day to celebrate the progress and achievements being made. And that’s been important because, let’s face it, there are still today material discrepancies in the number of women in senior and leadership roles, and in gender pay. Corporates now recognise the issue and, in most cases, are working hard to address the imbalances. However, targets of 40% of women on Boards and an 8% gender pay gap shows there is still a long way to go, and it’s a nut that hasn’t been cracked.
We are delighted to be supporting all six of the All About Plants gardens at RHS Chelsea this May. These small gardens use the power of plants to highlight the work of some amazing charitable causes and showcase new designers and specialist growers and nurseries.
Project Giving Back exists to amplify the work of charitable causes in the UK. We fulfil our purpose by funding gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The gardens are first a catalyst for engagement at the world-renowned Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show, before being relocated or repurposed to permanent sites across the UK creating an ongoing legacy and benefit to the causes and their communities.