Harry’s plant palette brings together appropriately hardy, salt-tolerant species of native grasses, viper’s buglus and climate-adapted adimentals, including sea buckthorn and rock samphire, grouped around a symbolic central structure. ‘We envisioned this as a haven and also a learning space, showing the possibility of regeneration through creativity and how developing practical skills can lead to a brighter future through a career in green industries,’ says Harry.
The pavilion, which sits in a pool of water in the middle of the garden, has a roof covered with solar panels. Its design was inspired by oyster shells, recalling the historic importance of fishing in Morecambe Bay, and its floors and panels around the perimeter will be made from clam-crete – a shell-based, low-carbon concrete alternative.
Based on sections of local limestone pavement, water rippled sand and other natural features of the region, the panels were created by artist Finbarr Ward working with young adults from Morecambe, and will be re-installed in the town. Harry explains, ‘The new Eden project in Morecambe won’t open until 2028 but, after the show, every element of our Chelsea garden will be part of the one-and-a-half acre public space we’ve created next to the Eden site. ‘It will be planted this autumn and will immediately start to benefit the local community, which makes the project even more worthwhile.’
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Giving back to the project
After five years of ground-breaking philanthropy, funding more than 60 show gardens inspired by good causes and transplanting them into public spaces across the country, Project Giving Back (PGB) is making its final appearance in Chelsea. And it’s going out in style. Provence-based designer James Basson has been commissioned to create a definitive feature garden for the PGB, which promises to be as exceptional as the charity itself. James draws inspiration from the historic ocher mines around Roussillon, near his home in southern France, to create a richly colored, otherworldly landscape. ‘These mines were once heavily damaged but, over time, through natural succession and soil regeneration, an extraordinary landscape has emerged,’ he says. ‘I wanted to bring some of this drama and raw beauty to Chelsea.’
PGB is also funding 11 fair gardens in 2026, including a Youngminds Garden designed by Charlie Chase for the All About Plants category. Charlie’s small south London studio, Chase Gardens, specializes in restorative landscape design and is starting to attract attention for its interesting approach to biodiverse planting design. So look for an interesting palette; This is a rare inclusion Aralia chapensisA sub-tropical woodlander Manihot Grahams and vibrant yellow Golden Zizia. ‘This is a garden designed not only for show, but also to activate young gardeners,’ explains Charlie, who lost his mother at a young age and turned to gardening to manage his grief. He is now on a mission to democratize access to nature and promote careers in horticulture for young people. After Chelsea, the garden will be relocated to a community space in Newham, East London. You can read more about her garden here.
Other gardens supported by the PGB include the Bat Conservation Trust’s Natural Nocturnal Garden, designed by Melanie Hick to demonstrate how easy it is to plant a beautiful garden that also attracts 18 of Britain’s native bat species; and A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey, created by Ariette Anderson as a sanctuary for people navigating life with this complex neurological condition.
