RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026

A more in depth look into our favourite gardens of RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026. This is our third year in a row visiting this prestigious flower show but this year it was different, very different. The first year with one of our water features on display in a Show Garden. We have worked with Olly at Hardwood Landscapes on a number of projects who were building a garden for Max Parker Smith. Olly approached us to see if we would like to get involved and of course we jumped on board. In addition to featuring this garden and our stone in depth, we’ve also picked out some of our favourite gardens of RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 below, with a focus on water features.

Journey Beyond the Tracks: From Adelaide to Perth

Designed by Max Parker Smith and built by Hardwood Landscapes. Journey Beyond the Tracks takes inspiration from the recent train line opened up between Adelaide and Perth in Western Australia. Max and Olly reached out to Welsh Slate Water Features to source and select the red stone boulders which are iconic of this arid landscape in Australia. Following a visit to the quarry to source the stone for this Chelsea Flower Show 2026 project, Max’s design incorporated a water feature bowl in a 1.6metre long rectangular stone boulder. We carved a 400mm diameter bowl out of the red stone which was to receive a water feed from a pipe above and would then cascade down over the face of the stone. Marking out the stone ready for the cuts was key as there was a natural indent at the base of the stone which the water would flow towards. A lip was carved at the front of the water feature to cascade down the front. The water was then caught, stored and recycled around. An additional fifteen boulders were used throughout the design, varying from three ton down to smaller 30kg rocks. These were placed in strategic points to draw the eye and also act as boundary markers. One giant stone boulder was used in a border whilst other interesting boulders were used to draw your eye and act as a focal point. Clever detailing in the cuts ‘hugged’ steel edging and the team did a fantastic job on the build of this beautiful garden. Max and the Team were awarded a Silver Gilt for this wonderful show garden. Other amazing creators involved in this project were Sam Ogilvie who created the gazebo structure which resembled a rail carriage

Olly and the team at Hardwood took some fantastic behind the scenes footage of the build and is available in long form content on their You Tube Channel.

The tone of the boulders when the light hit looked absolutely stunning. The clever planting and leading lines creating beautiful shadows and quite an ambience.

Using large stone boulders in garden design can be so effective on many levels. They don’t just fill a space, they can become functional and pieces of art in their own right.

Tokonoama Garden – Sanumaya no Niwa

Designed by Kazuyuki Ishihara and Paul Noritaka Tange and built by Daikanyama Kadan. Taking inspiration from his childhood and growing up in Japan where family would convene in the garden to socialise and chat, whilst be surrounding by lush planting, stones and water. Key elements of a Japanese Garden. The main structure is a Japanese Tea House (Chashitsu) which is a place to sit, relax and unwind. Kazuyuki Ishihara used a number of key elements, beautiful stone full of character often surrounded by smaller gravel used to represent mountains and water. A waterfall sits on one side creating a soothing sound and energy whilst a quieter water feature pond edges the Tea House on the other. A stone and granite path links this all together as it meanders through the space. Maples and moss are in abundance and looked simply magical. Kazuyuki Ishihara won a Silver Gilt at the show.

Congratulations

The shadows and light game was on fire in this garden. This truly was a show garden and a well deserved award winning garden. Combining key materials, colours, planting, water in perfect harmony.

The Asthma and Lung UK Breathing Space Garden

Designed by Angus Thomson and built by Dan Flynn. A large structure takes centre stage and acts as an outdoor space to be able to relax and re-energise. During the build, the team used the large platform to carry out breathing exercises to keep focused during a stressful build. This clever space could be used for a variety of purposes and with an elevated platform frames the foreground nicely. A water feature to the front produces a relaxing sound track, pooling around the front to create a clam and relaxed space. Clever detailing throughout and dark screening makes the lush acers pop beautifully, with every inch of walling and boundaries used as seating or a base for pots and plants. A truly amazing and relaxing space.

The Tate Britain Garden

Designed by Tom Stuart Smith and built by Crocus. Meandering paths and lush planting, this garden takes you on a journey flanked by stunning drought tolerant planting. The real gem of this garden is the giant limestone sculpture by Barbara Hepworth. The first time a sculpture from the national collection has been on display at Chelsea Flower Show.

The Children’s Society Garden

Designed by Patrick Clarke Landscapes and built by Yoreland Design Ltd – The Children Society’s Garden won an impressive Gold medal for this amazing space where children can enjoy, feel safe and feel confident to speak out and share their feelings. This calm space aims to give children the confidence to be present in the moment. Water adds another element of calmness to this relaxing and inviting space. The RSJ works well as a rill with the water funnelling off into the pond below. Oranges and Reds mirror and sparkle at varying heights. This is so effective.

Addleshaw Goddard. Flourish in the City.

Designed by Joe and Laura Carey and built by The Outdoor Room. Large stone boulders take centre stage and act as natural seating in this beautifully balanced garden. Another boulder has been converted into a water feature with thin narrow slats sawn into the stone with copper spouts funnelling the water out and beyond the face of the stone. Contrasting with this individual feature stone is a waterfall style rill with water flowing down over levels as it meanders its way to the front.

The flow of water continues to meander across this space where it drops into a rill and down levels, directed through these steel spouts.

The Whittard of Chelsea Garden

Designed by Ollie Pike and sponsored by Peak Landscapes. We love the exposed copper piping winding its way throughout the garden. The fall of water caught our eye with an extended fall into large circular containers. This cleverly mirrors the pouring of tea which is considered an art form in itself. Large lushous planting spills out of containers, with smaller pots used to transition down to ground level.

Flood R: Contain the Rain Garden

Designed by John Howlett and built by Acacia Gardens. Hexagonal planters packed with vibrant planting form the main structure with a central tile patio. Two water features capture and contain rain water. A rain chain placed directly in the centre with a glass mirror placed behind captures rain water from the gutter and guides it down to a container. Another water feature towards the front of the boundary makes quite an impact as the water spills over a spout creating an elgant wave. The entire colour pallette works so well and with a quality execution this garden was a deserved Gold Medal Winner.

A big thankyou to Emily Raymond for capturing these amazing images at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 and who owns the copyrights on all these images. If you have any questions or queries about any of the information in this blog or would like us to create a unique water feature of your own, please do get in touch.

All images are owned and copyrighted by Welsh Slate Water Features.