The RSPCA Garden | Chelsea Flower Show 2023 | RSPCA - RSPCA
The RSPCA Garden
Here's where you can find out all about our wildlife garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023, which marks the start of our 200th anniversary celebrations in 2024. Created by award-winning designer Martyn Wilson and funded by Project Giving Back, it's a stylish, modern interpretation of a wildlife sanctuary. As well as looking beautiful, it's full of ideas you can easily recreate at home, whatever space you have.
A 3D tour around The RSPCA Garden
For the first time ever, you can be a virtual visitor to RHS Chelsea Flower Show and take a 3D immersive tour around our garden. Stroll through at your leisure and stop to read more about its features, or learn more about our work for animals. With thanks to videographers Immersive 3D for creating this exclusive film – a first for any RHS garden.
A 3D tour around The RSPCA Garden
Garden features to look out for
Wildlife observation hide
A building at the rear of the garden, made from UK-grown Douglas fir and larch, from which to watch wildlife. Its green roof and wall-mounted bee hotels provide extra habitats.
A nesting box feature wall
This wall, built from natural stone, is hung with contemporary nesting boxes. Wrapped in Corten steel, they'll attract endangered tree sparrows who nest in groups.
The bronze otters
Well-known wildlife artist Simon Gudgeon has kindly loaned us a bespoke bronze sculpture of otters. His stunning creation was inspired by otters in our care.
Dead hedges
Framed by rust-effect Corten steel, 'dead hedges' are actually full of life! With hidden hedgehog boxes, they house garden prunings and create habitats for birds, insects and more.
Wildlife friendly planting
A canopy of native trees and shrubs provide shade and shelter for birds, insects and mammals. Among the layers of plants and flowers are plenty to attract pollinating insects.
The stream and pool
A flowing 'rill', formed from recycled plastic, provides movement, sound, and a drink for wildlife. It symbolises the rescue-rehabilitate-release cycle of care we give to wild animals.
Our expert gardener
Martyn Wilson
Martyn is an award-winning garden designer and RSPCA supporter, and we're honoured he is working on this garden for us. He has a wealth of experience designing and creating show gardens on behalf of charities.
Based in Cheltenham, Martyn works across the Cotswolds, the Vale of Evesham and Worcestershire. He studied professional garden design at the Cotswold Gardening School. His background is in town planning with a specialist interest in sustainability.
His portfolio includes residential gardens, public and commercial spaces, and award-winning show gardens – including Gold Medals at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, RHS Malvern Spring Festival and BBC Gardeners' World Live.
Gardens for good
Project giving back
Our garden is one of 15 Gardens For Good Causes, made possible thanks to Project Giving Back who have funded all the design, planting and build costs. It will be created by award-winning designer and RSPCA supporter Martyn Wilson, and built by Landscape Associates.
To see a full list of the partners Martyn's worked with on this project view our Supporters and Suppliers web page.
Project Giving Back
Protecting wildlife from harm
Martyn has created our design to show that a wildlife garden needn’t be scruffy. It can look modern and stylish while providing sanctuary to a wide range of species (people included!). He was inspired by walks through native woodlands with his dog, as well as a visit to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre, where he saw some of our vital welfare work first hand.
The design uses only natural, sustainable or recycled materials. It shows how we can have a positive impact on biodiversity. Living as part of the natural environment. We want everyone who visits Chelsea, watches on TV, or hears about our garden, to be inspired to do their own ‘gardening with purpose’.
A lasting legacy
After Chelsea, The RSPCA Garden will be relocated to our Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and education hub in Cheshire. It will live on as a sanctuary for wildlife, staff, volunteers and visitors. There, it will help us provide animal welfare education to communities who have fewer opportunities to connect with the natural environment.
Quiz
How friendly is your garden?
Take our quiz to find out how friendly your green space is for local wildlife. Then, take a pledge to welcome more wildlife into your garden, no matter what size.
Wild at heart
Our special guests
RHS branded gifts
Join RSPCA #WildlifeFriend
There are loads of easy ways to get involved and help wildlife. Sign up as a volunteer and start making a difference today.