Three monumental walls made from clay and rubble stone dominate the garden, balanced by an 18m pool framed by crisp, rammed concrete walls. Steps and changes in level create a series of paths and seating spaces, while gentle cascades bring movement to the water.

The design draws on Andy Sturgeon’s travels and experience of working in semi-arid climates, as well as the Lo-TEK movement, which explores local and traditional ecological knowledge and nature-based approaches. Its mud and straw walls reference both cob construction in the UK and adobe structures seen in parts of Africa.

The experience of grief is woven into the layout. Angled walls create changing perspectives, while spaces alternate between open, hidden and partially obscured areas, reflecting how grief can change and be experienced differently over time. Water introduces movement, change and a sense of optimism.

The planting looks towards a changing climate, bringing together species chosen to cope with hot, dry summers and wetter winters. Plants predominantly come from Mediterranean-climate regions, alongside species from Mexico and the Andes, giving the garden a more exotic character.

Foliage ranges from fresh and dark greens to greys and blues, punctuated by flowers in pink, yellow, orange, red, purple and touches of white. Around 3,000 plants will feature within the garden.

Key plants include:

• Yucca thompsoniana , a Mexican species chosen for its appearance, hardiness and tolerance of wetter conditions
• Adenocarpus anagyrifolius , used as an unusual statement plant
• Cistus halimifolius ‘Stagnolu’, an unusual yellow-flowering cistus
• Zelkova × verschaffeltii, a climate-resilient tree with strong autumn colour
• Kniphofia thomsonii var. thomsonii 'Stern's Trip' , with tall orange flowers
• Restio from South Africa

Award of Garden Merit

Kniphofia thomsonii var. thomsonii 'Stern's Trip'

Plants suppliers: Ebben Nurseries, Griffin Nurseries, Kelways Plants, Rymer Trees and Hedging, Vivaio aumenta for Big Plant Nursery

Low-impact construction is central to the design. The main feature walls are made from mud and straw using Cornish-made cob blocks, which are intended to be returned to the earth or made into new blocks after the show. Only a very small amount of cement is planned for the garden.

Materials are reused wherever possible. Metalwork comes from previous RHS Chelsea gardens, the furniture is borrowed and the paving uses waste offcuts from paving and walling. The garden also incorporates permeable paving and gravel to help manage flash flooding.

The planting has been designed to cope with summer drought and winter wet, with many species also adapted to respond to fire in their native environments.

Andy Sturgeon has been designing gardens professionally for more than 40 years and describes his work as combining bold contemporary architecture with a strong horticultural narrative rooted in ecology. His work now spans urban gardens, country gardens and estates, with projects in the UK and internationally.

At RHS Chelsea Flower Show, he has previously won nine Gold medals and three Best in Show awards, in 2010, 2016 and 2019.

The garden has a deeply personal significance for Andy Sturgeon. Following the death of his partner in 2009, Andy and his children received support from Child Bereavement UK. His own experience, alongside conversations with bereaved children, young people and grieving parents from the charity, has helped shape how grief is explored and expressed through the garden's design.

Project Giving Back is sponsoring the garden for Child Bereavement UK. The charity provides specialist support to bereaved children and young people, and to parents grieving for a baby or child.

Through the garden, Child Bereavement UK hopes to raise awareness of its support, reach new audiences and encourage more open conversations around grief and loss.

Supported by: Westerleigh Group

After RHS Chelsea, the Child Bereavement UK Garden will find a permanent home at a Westerleigh Group crematorium (location tbc) where it will offer a welcoming, accessible space for remembrance, reflection and connection to bereaved families and communities for years to come.