Flower Show: Retro Bedding Brand Weirdstock Featured at James Whiting's Award-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show Display

You might wonder why a bedding brand is at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The fact is, the ethical and sustainable bedding brand Weirdstock is prominently featured at an award-winning stand. It is nestled within the stunning, gold medal-winning display "Verdant Visions" by James Whiting at the Houseplant Studios section, sponsored by family history website FindMyPast.

The Verdent Vision exhibit by James Whiting at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 featuring
joyful retro bedding from Weirdstock.

Johanna Haughey-Lewis, founder of London-based Weirdstock, designed the bedding and fabric featured in the exhibit and collaborated with James Whiting to transform the botanical bedroom space into an immersive retro dreamscape. This unique collaboration perfectly marries joyful retro style with modern comfort and sustainable practices, embodying the philosophy at the heart of the Weirdstock brand.

This year marks the award-winning designer James Whiting's third appearance at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with a new exhibit in the Houseplant Studio category.

"Verdant Visions" reflects Whiting’s passion for sustainable indoor green design. The exhibit takes visitors on a nostalgic journey through the defining soundtracks, bold designs, and vibrant tropical houseplants of the 1970s. Whiting drew inspiration from the fond memories of classic houseplants grown by his grandparents and his parents' love of 70s music.

Designed to evoke a teenager's bedroom from the 70s, the exhibit also includes coverage of RHS Chelsea from that era. Whiting remarks, “Storytelling with plants, interior design, and music are my passions. I hope to reignite a love for staple retro houseplants that are sometimes overlooked in favour of flashy new varieties.” He adds, “Partnering with Findmypast to create this immersive space has opened doors to a wealth of intriguing information. Their extensive archive has provided real insight into this period, allowing me to relive moments from the decade of disco, flares, and Spider Plants!”

"We're thrilled to be part of James' incredible vision," says Weirdstock's Haughey-Lewis. "Verdant Visions captures the essence of a nostalgic 70s haven, and our bedding complements that perfectly. We believe everyone deserves to experience that feeling of pure comfort and joy in their own bedrooms, and with Weirdstock, they can achieve that while supporting ethical and sustainable practices."

Weirdstock's vibrant and bold retro designs are made in GOTS-certified organic cotton and offer eye-catching style and hotel-quality comfort.

Specializing in organic cotton bedding with bold, retro-inspired prints, Weirdstock's designs blend vintage style with modern quality, all while maintaining a minimal environmental impact. Each product is crafted to be fun and uplifting, bringing a touch of 1970s eclecticism into a joyful home.

Photos courtesy of Weirdstock

Gardens and Lifestyle: Hartley Botanic launches new Victorian inspired Greenhouses and water butts at Chelsea Flower Show, London

As temperatures rise and sunny days approach, we all look forward to spending more time outdoors. Even when the weather is unpredictable, it's wonderful to have a place to relax while staying dry and enjoying the garden. With the opening of London's RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024, there are plenty of inspiring ideas and examples to enhance our English summer experience

At the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, exhibitor Hartley Botanic, located at Trade Stand No. 142, is  is launching a new range of four contrasting greenhouses, all set against an inspiring yet traditional Victorian English garden theme, reflecting the growing demand for grander Victorian glasshouses.

The Victorian Manor, measuring 8 meters long and 4 meters wide, is the largest glasshouse Hartley Botanic has ever brought to the flower show. This grand structure reflects a growing trend for larger, more opulent Victorian-style greenhouses among customers. Designed for entertaining, it features a partitioned workspace and a built-in storage area. Celebrating the opulent English gardens of the Victorian era—a period known for pioneering gardening "under glass"—the Victorian Manor Glasshouse showcases simple elegance with a minimal material palette. Romanticizing traditional English gardens, the planting overflows with vibrant colors, spilling over paths. The design's structural simplicity includes a formal hedge, topiary, two feature multi-stem trees, and paths leading into each glasshouse.

Tom Barry, CEO of Hartley Botanic said; “Achieving an elegant and traditional garden aesthetic is an aspiration for many customers, and often a driving force in their decision to invest in a luxury Hartley Botanic Greenhouse. The Victorians certainly knew how to create beautiful and opulent planting schemes and we see customers recreate this look in their Greenhouses today, especially those within our Victorian range.

Nearby, a Patio Glasshouse on display is perfect for small gardens and balconies. The Wisley 8 Grow and Store Greenhouse, part of the Heritage Range, features a practical partitioned internal storage area. This greenhouse, with a historically-inspired design based on an original Hartley Botanic model, is powder-coated in bronze.

The Opus Glasshouse in dark bronze is the most contemporary structure on display, featuring concealed engineering and expansive glass-to-ground windows that maximize light and architectural style.

Powder-coated in dark bronze, the Opus is filled with colorful orchids. Reflecting quintessential Victorian opulence, the vibrant orchids are complemented by non-flowering plants such as ferns. Visitors will embark on a tropical journey through this glasshouse, immersing themselves in the striking vibrancy of the orchids on display.

A newly launched range of elegantly designed water butts is making its debut at the trade stand. These handmade aluminum water butts, available in both large and small sizes, feature a unique design that combines a clean shape with curved legs, offering a refined and stylish finish.

The 2024 Hartley Botanic trade stand has been designed by Landscape Architect Rachel Sampson (BA(Hons) Dip. CMLI) and built and planted by Stewart Landscape Construction.

All images from Hartley Botanic.

Flowers and Culture: RHS Chelsea Flower Show May 21 - 25 features gardens to address contemporary and environmental challenges

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is considered the world's most renowned flower and gardening exhibition, held annually on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. Organized by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), it is a significant event in the British social calendar and attracts visitors from around the globe.  It is always a delight to witness the amazing talent of both seasoned garden designers and emerging talents, 

Running from May 21 to 25, this year's event no doubt will captivate the senses and imaginations of both connoisseurs and amateurs alike, featuring the finest in flowers and plants. 

Charity "Project Giving Back" is sponsoring St James's Church's garden at Chelsea Flower Show in support of The Wren Project and help the Church raise £20m to rejuvenate the historic, Wren-designed church, and particularly to restore its Piccadilly garden.  The ‘Imagine the World to be Different’-themed garden designed by Robert Myers at Chelsea will be a reflective space where nature takes centre stage. Calm, contemplative and uplifting, it will offer a refuge for humans and wildlife.  
Image from St James's Church website.

This year, the featured gardens will address several pressing and contemporary issues in horticulture, including environmental challenges such as flooding and drought, and urban biodiversity. Themes of wellbeing and gut health will also be explored, with a focus on plants that benefit both internal and external microbiomes.

While there are eight main show gardens at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 15 of the gardens will be supported by Project Giving Back, an initiative which allows charitable organisations to exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show. This raises the profile and platform of the charities, whilst ensuring the diversity of the show itself. 

Project Giving Back will support several large show gardens, along with some Sanctuary and All About Plants gardens, all emphasizing a strong legacy focus. These showpieces are designed to transform into teaching gardens and community spaces post-exhibition. One notable garden, themed "Imagine the World to be Different," supports the Wren Project of St James's Church in Piccadilly, London. This garden encourages visitors to cherish the earth and each other, highlighting the role of gardens as spaces for healing and contemplation while celebrating the rejuvenating qualities of urban green spaces.

A magnificent Magnolia tree graced the front court yard of St James's Church, Piccadilly, in early spring 2024.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

The visibility of St James's garden at the show aims to help raise £20 million for the restoration of their historic, Wren-designed church and its Piccadilly garden. Designed by Robert Myers, this Chelsea garden will form the basis of a restored, accessible space where approximately 300,000 people from all walks of life seek tranquility and inspiration annually. The Wren Project aims to enhance St James's environmental activities and social outreach, supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, refugees, asylum seekers, and those persecuted for their sexuality or identity.

Central to the garden design is the architecture of Wren’s church, featuring an arched window. A new structure designed by artist Ivan Morison will house the Caravan Drop-In and Counselling Service, eventually relocating to the restored Piccadilly garden along with plants from the show garden. Robert Myers draws inspiration from London’s pocket parks and historic churchyards like St James’s, which have endured wartime scars yet symbolize resilience and regeneration. The woodland-style planting focuses on textural foliage with splashes of color, incorporating wild plants like chickweed, speedwell, and vetch, known for their resilience and regenerative qualities.

St James's Church hopes its Chelsea garden will be a reflective space where nature takes centre stage. Calm, contemplative and uplifting, it will offer a refuge for humans and wildlife.

Chelsea shops and eateries celebrate Chelsea Flower Show
with their own displays during the floral exhibition.
 Photo by Lucia Carpio

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show infuses excitement and vibrancy into the Chelsea and Belgravia neighborhoods, where retailers, commercial properties and eateries create equally splendid displays to celebrate the premier flower exhibition, creating a festive atmosphere.

Chelsea in Bloom 2024’s theme is ‘Floral Feasts’, celebrating two of the things Chelsea is most famous for – botanical heritage and fabulous food, promising a feast for the eyes, with inspiration taken from culinary favourites and memorable foodie scenes and characters across film, literature, history and art.

The Duke of York Square in Chelsea.  Photo by Lucia Carpio.

The elegant residential development of Chelsea Barracks, across the street from the Chelsea Flower Show, will simultaneously host a Spring Fair from May 22 to 25. The event will transform the beautiful garden squares into a lively hub featuring shopping, talks, seminars, and excellent food and drink. At the heart of the Spring Fair, an artisan market will offer a series of talks and clinics in partnership with House & Garden, with editors engaging in conversations with leading figures from the worlds of design and horticulture.  On May 24, the garden clinic will feature House & Garden’s garden editor Clare Foster discussing horticultural topics with RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winners Jo Thompson and Tom Massey. 

Sophisticated and elegant gardens at the Chelsea Barracks residential development. Photo by Lucia Carpio.

The Fair will also showcase stalls by independent makers and brands such as Sharland England, The Oxton Liqueur Company, and Gaze Burvill, providing stylish shopping opportunities. Networking and garden talks will take place at The Campaner, while the Louise Rowe talk will be held at The Garrison Chapel. Tickets must be booked in advance.