The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) announced the winners of the People’s Choice Awards at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Visitors selected the most admired gardens through public vote in four categories.
Ballots were cast for Large Show Gardens, Small Show Gardens, Balcony and Container Gardens, and All About Plants Gardens. The awards highlight designs that connect with attendees by combining creativity with practical or emotional value.
Parkinson’s garden wins large category
Arit Anderson secured the People’s Choice Award for Large Show Gardens with Parkinson’s UK – A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey. While Anderson had previously designed feature gardens at Chelsea, this marked her first judged entry. The project began with workshops involving people living with Parkinson’s to ensure the space met their needs.
“The whole garden started with a workshop with people who had Parkinson’s who were gardeners,” Anderson said. “We felt we had to make sure we understood their needs.”
The recognition shows growing public interest in gardens that serve a purpose beyond looks—whether for health, community, or conservation.
Small gardens make a strong impression
Rob Hardy won the Small Show Gardens category for Trussell’s Together Garden, created with the Trussell Trust, a UK food bank network.
The Balcony and Container Gardens award went to Tina Worboys for Alzheimer’s Society: Microbes and Minds Garden.
Melanie Hick claimed the All About Plants category with The Bat Conservation Trust’s Nocturnal Garden. Hick, who specializes in wildlife-friendly design, focused on plants that attract nocturnal pollinators such as moths and bats. “I always intended to present a biodiverse and wildlife-friendly garden design that Chelsea garden visitors would want at home,” she said. “It’s so rewarding to receive the endorsement of the public.”
Hick’s victory aligns with a broader trend at Chelsea, where function often outweighs flash.
This year’s awards suggest visitors prefer gardens with purpose. Three of the four winners were tied to health or conservation charities, and all emphasized community input or real-world use.
Related: Gardeners Choose Star Plant for Chelsea Show
Anderson’s design wasn’t just a showpiece. It was developed with the people it aimed to help, which seems to resonate with visitors.
The awards also highlight the impact of smaller gardens. While Large Show Gardens often draw attention, Hardy and Worboys proved that compact, thoughtful designs can capture the public’s imagination just as effectively.
For the designers, the awards hold significance beyond the event. Hick said the recognition would help her advocate for more wildlife-friendly projects. The People’s Choice Awards don’t just celebrate beauty—they indicate what kinds of gardens people want to see more often.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show continues through the weekend, with winning gardens on display until the event ends.
