The Chelsea effect

Exhibiting at RHS Chelsea Flower Show can transform a designer's career, as Jo Thompson found.

Jo Thompson is back with her third Chelsea garden - A Celebration of Caravanning, designed for The Caravan Club. She first exhibited in 2009 when her garden for Demelza won Silver-Gilt. The following year she stormed back, scooping Gold and Best Urban garden for her Thrive design (pictured above).

“The Demelza garden was being resited after the show, so it had to be a real garden. I think that was a reason that I got more work afterwards. It also prompted Thrive to commission me to design the 2010 garden.”

The Chelsea magic takes effect

Jo’s garden design business had been up and running for about three years before she brought Demelza to Chelsea. Garden designers will admit it’s normally very slow at the start of their careers and at that point she admits she wasn’t actually making a living. Chelsea changed that.

Having decided to do a show garden, she approached Demelza with the idea. They provided some funding, and she also put in her own money. “It was really low budget, but you learn quickly how to be very resourceful, for instance, our plants were spares left over from other show gardens.

“Designing a garden at Chelsea gives you credibility, not only with potential clients, but also with future show garden sponsors. It also gives you the freedom to design without such a limited brief as you would have with a real life job,” she says.

A steep learning curve

Jo also learnt much more about garden construction: “Being on site every day really makes a difference, it’s a massive learning curve, not to mention a terrific confidence-building exercise.”

Her business grew after her first Chelsea garden, not just directly, but also via contractors. “Being able to recommend a Chelsea medal-winning designer gives them a sort of prestige, the kudos rubs off!”

Now she is a high-profile designer, why come back to Chelsea? “It’s brilliant for marketing and I’m still learning; I can see what Arne Maynard and Sarah Price are up to opposite – where else would I get that sort of opportunity? Chelsea is just the ultimate professional development tool.”

Like to get involved?

The RHS Shows team is always looking out for fresh talent and innovative new designers for Chelsea and our other shows.

View more information on all the opportunities available at RHS shows.