RHS Chelsea: The Next Generation

This year, The Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show was a platform for a record number of young designers aiming to make a big impression on the national stage.

Three show gardens were created by designers aged under 30, including Vital Earth: The Night Sky Garden by Chelsea’s youngest designer David Rich, 23, and his brother Harry, 26, is inspired by star constellations. Additionally, Hugo Bugg, 27, designed a water garden highlighting global water issues.

However, the RHS issued a stark warning saying that gardening is facing a skills crisis because of an ageing workforce, and a lack of young people taking up horticultural activities as a hobby or career.

Bugg says perception is the key;

“If you know it’s a profession and you can get a good income from it, and that people are going to respect you, then more people will get into it.”

Image courtesy of The Telegraph