Sanctuary, calm and happiness are key elements in many of the
gardens and exhibits featured at the 2015 RHS Chelsea Flower
Show, sponsored by M&G Investments.
The case for the health and wellbeing benefits of gardening
was also made by leading scientists in the prestigious RHS John
MacLeod Lecture** last November.
The connection between health, wellbeing and horticulture has
long been an area of interest for gardeners and garden designers,
and remains a rich source of inspiration for designers from across
the world. An RHS survey in 2014* found that of 2,000 people
asked about gardening and growing plants, nearly 90 percent said
gardening is good for your health and 95 percent said it helps lift
their mood.
This enduring appeal of gardens as sanctuaries of peace and
happiness is reflected in several exhibits this year, especially
within Fresh gardens, where the calming influence of gardens is
highlighted. Fuminari Todaka’s ‘Home – Personal Universe’ exhibit
is designed to demonstrate how a garden can deepen the love of
a family, and features a private family space where the soothing
features, such as a delicate waterfall, help to inspire conversation
between parents and children.