RHS Chelsea Flower Show - Collaboration with Gardena

Design Ethos

I believe that being sustainable is not an option that a company chooses to include. It should be an essential part of any business; embraced and implemented thoughtfully.

The world has changed! Consumers are looking for brands with strong core values that place people and the planet ahead of profit. There is a new and kinder economy emerging and brands have a responsibility not only to make their products more planet- friendly but also to provide information and inspiration for consumers on how to become more sustainable.

This is why I continue to design with Gardena, my dedication to inspiring other to reuse the past to style the future mirrors their ReThink pledge, which is built on the foundation of the circular R’s :Reduce, Repair , Recycle.

Together we want to inspire all passionate gardeners to learn about sustainable gardening practices and how gardeners can take control of their gardens to help the climate crisis. Its time our gardening practices helped the planet come from Climate crisis to Climate conscious.

Chelsea 2023

I was delighted to have had the opportunity to inspire gardeners to embrace more sustainable practices at last year's Chelsea Flower Show, aligning with the Gardenas' "Rethink" campaign values. We encouraged people to reconsider their gardening habits to contribute to the planet's preservation.

In the previous year, my garden design ignited conversations about the environmental harm caused by actions such as the use of fossil fuels, dirty energy sources, and plastic pollution. It underscored the urgent need for nature to reclaim control. However, this year, my focus shifted towards innovative solutions to address the climate crisis.

A significant emphasis was placed on growing one's food, a personal passion of mine, and a crucial aspect of sustainable living. The garden featured a social space designed for entertaining friends and family, with an innovative planting scheme incorporating edible plants that not only served a functional purpose but also added to the garden's beauty.

The garden prominently showcased materials representing the forefront of sustainable design innovation. I carefully selected products made from recycled materials, such as white goods and ocean fishing nets, as well as consumer waste. These innovations complemented Gardena's efforts with our recycled plastic Ecoline range. I continued my tradition of seeking out, collaborating with, and promoting brands committed to the new and environmentally conscious economy—brands prioritizing both people and the planet. My upcycled designs and found materials were seamlessly incorporated into the garden, embracing elements of rewilding and biodiversity. The design featured walls constructed to house extensive bug hotels, edible and pollinating plants, and efficient water harvesting systems.

My aim remained to encourage individuals to reconsider their outdoor spaces' priorities and spearhead a homegrown food revolution. I wanted people to recognize that a kitchen garden could not only be visually pleasing but also provide healthy, chemical-free, seasonal food that didn't harm the planet. This garden served as a space to enjoy with loved ones while sharing the food cultivated with care.

We need to rethink the future for the health of our planet- let’s start by rethinking the way we use our gardens.

Four years ago at the Ideal Home Show I meet Gardena, they were the sponsors of my garden based on sustainability and recycling, on the last day as I finished my build it was time to place the products around the garden that they wanted to showcase and its then that I notice the irony of my garden where everything was made from recycled materials to be sponsored by a company that used virgin plastics to make their tools.

This was not lost on the brand and as all good brands should, through innovation, hard work and research they have adapted to become more planet conscious. So four years later I am delighted that GARDENA EcoLine is the first range of high quality gardening tools in the market that is made with significant shares of recycled materials consists mainly out of post-consumer recycled material. The plastic components of each product consist of at least 65 % recycled material. The GARDENA EcoLine has been awarded the German Sustainability Award Design 2022 in the "Vision" category.

I am delighted to be part of this change and will continue to support and work with Gardena as they transition even further with their roadmap to sustainability.