Underwater flowering plant to make its debut at Chelsea
The ocean's only flowering plant will feature at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 for the first time.
Seagrass — a vibrant green plant that grows underwater in shallow coastal areas — will be displayed inside a glass saltwater tank at the Seawilding Garden when the world's most famous flower show returns in May.
Designed by Chelsea newcomer Ryan McMahon of MUSA Landscape Architecture, the garden will capture the spirit of Scotland's west coast landscape and draw inspiration from the work of charity Seawilding in restoring lost biodiversity to our marine environment.
Garden highlights will include plants native to the west coast of Scotland, such as globeflower, a wildflower of the Scottish wet meadows, and string sedge. There will also be a stone path leading past a pebble beach area and a 2.5m high seagrass sculpture made from recycled scrap metal.
'We are working with Rare British Plants to include a number of rare native plants, some only found at one location in Scotland, bringing one of the core objectives of Seawilding to the garden: restoring lost biodiversity,' says garden designer Ryan. 'Shells and pebbles from local beaches will be collected by Seawilding's youth group, The Seawildlings, and local primary school children will grow some of the plants in the garden.'
Closely related to lilies and orchids, seagrasses grow bright green leaves and form dense underwater meadows. Teeming with wildlife, seagrass helps produce oxygen, stores carbon, and keeps our oceans clean and clear. Yet, sadly, 95 per cent of the UK's seagrass meadows have vanished due to disturbance, pollution, and disease.
'Biodiversity loss is a critical global challenge, and seagrass, the ocean's only flowering plant, plays a key role as a habitat for marine life and a vital carbon sink,' says Hattie Ghaui, CEO of Project Giving Back. 'We hope this garden inspires others to help protect and restore our precious marine ecosystems.'
Once the Chelsea Flower Show is over, the garden will be partially relocated to the ocean floor. Other elements will be donated to a village in Scotland for community events, while the sculpture will be incorporated into a sculpture trail on the Isle of Lunga.
The Seawilding Garden will feature in the All About Plants category at Chelsea Flower Show 2025.
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