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Will Young makes garden design debut at RHS Wisley Flower Show

British music icon Will Young creates a garden exploring the human mind at this year’s RHS Wisley Flower Show, 1–6 September 2026

Best known for his music career, Will Young is also a passionate gardener. Collaborating with RHS Gold medal-winning designer Jamie Butterworth, Will has created a planting installation ‘Out of the Shadows’ that interprets psychologist Carl Jung’s concept of the ‘shadow self’ – the part of ourselves we keep hidden from the world. Through its planting, the garden explores the journey from introspection and isolation to openness, vitality and the embrace of possibility.

The garden is comprised of three planted cubes, each representing a different stage of this emotional and psychological journey. Will Young said: “I’d been looking at Jungian shadow work for some time and thought it was fascinating and could translate so well into planting and a garden installation. So, I’m delighted to be able to bring this to life alongside Jamie at the RHS Wisley Flower Show.”

Will Young and Jamie Butterworth have turned Jungian theory into a trio of planted spaces
As you move along the three cubes, shade-loving plants gradually give way to airy grasses and flowers as light enters in. Jamie Butterworth said: “This is such an interesting idea from Will – to use plants and the way light falls in our gardens to explore spaces that gradually emerge from shade to full sun, from shadow to light.”

It’s been really fun fusing Will’s passion for Jungian theory with my knowledge of plants.

Jamie Butterworth, Co-designer of Out of the Shadows
The first cube, ‘Beneath the Canopy’ is inspired by the Jungian shadow self – the hidden parts of our psyche that exist beneath consciousness. Dense, layered planting creates a quiet, introspective atmosphere of deep shadow and mystery, evoking retreat and the beginning of the journey inward.

The second cube, ‘Where the Light Falls’ is a transitional garden shaped by filtered sunlight and shifting shadow. The planting feels lighter and more open, symbolising the moment where the shadow self and persona begin to meet, and unconscious aspects of the self emerge into awareness.

The final cube, ‘Into the Open’ has an open, naturalistic planting scheme celebrating exposure and awakening. Meadow-like drifts of grasses and sun-loving, colourful perennials represent the shift into full light, where shadows lift and new perspectives emerge. The garden reflects an ongoing journey of growth, openness and possibility.

Beauty often hides in the dark.

Will Young, Designer of Out of the Shadows
The cubes ask people to think about the planting possibilities for all garden areas and consider the full potential of the human mind, even the parts we fear. Will said: “I hope it encourages people to see how density and shade can be beautiful and as a metaphor, invites them to look into their own psyche, as beauty often hides in the dark.”

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RHS Wisley Flower Show

Alongside Out of the Shadows, this year’s RHS Wisley Flower Show features spectacular late-summer displays, award-winning specialist nurseries, a host of shopping opportunities and talks from gardening experts.

RHS Wisley Flower Show

Plan your visit to RHS Wisley

Plan your visit to RHS Wisley

RHS Wisley Garden highlights

RHS Wisley Garden highlights

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The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.