Inspired by our favourite gardens from this year’s show, we've put together five simple and effective planting ideas that you can easily introduce into your own space.

We’ve seen some spectacular displays at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year.

Alongside the impressive show gardens, designers have presented us with some of their most thought-provoking small spaces and displays. Plus, of course, some magnificent planting schemes that we’re excited to show you.

1) Acers – as seen in The Japanese Tea Garden by Cha No Niwa

2025’s Garden of the Year, the Japanese Tea Garden by Cha No Niwa, incorporated plants and trees commonly found in the Japanese countryside. As a longstanding Okells favourite, we were delighted to see the acer take centre stage.

While the larger varieties make for striking specimen trees, there are many smaller types to choose from - perfect for a small border, patio or container.

2) Resilient planting – as seen in The Hospitalfield Arts Garden by Nigel Dunnett

With unpredictable weather patterns becoming more commonplace, climate was a key theme of this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. It’s no surprise that hardy, resilient planting featured prominently throughout.

One of our favourite gardens was the dreamy Hospitalfield Arts Garden by Nigel Dunnett, with its drought-tolerant, Mediterranean planting.

Our Cheshire grown lavenders (including our French varieties) are grown locally, making them better suited to our climate.

3) Plants for shade – as seen in The London Square Chelsea Pensioners Garden by Dave Green

We saw many designers embrace woodland planting this year, seen in both the British Rainforest Garden and the gold medal winning London Square Chelsea Pensioners Garden, which featured vibrant, textural plants that are ideal for shady spots.

Our top picks for shade include hostas, ferns and heucheras, as well as our incredible tree ferns which are available in our garden centre now.

4) Purple – as see in The RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden by Monty Don

If there has been one stand out colour this year, it’s purple. With shades ranging from pale lilacs to deep violets, we’ve seen purple planting and foliage used to great effect.

Lighter, more delicate shades of purple work well in a white border. Or mix vivid purples with bright oranges like geums, as Monty Don has done in his RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden.

5) Naturalistic planting – as seen in The Glasshouse Garden by Jo Thompson

Planting in drifts is one of the most effective ways to create a naturalistic border. It is a style that we have seen throughout Chelsea this year. Less formal in design, this type of planting is great for encouraging wildlife, and creating texture and movement.

Put simply, drift planting is when the same group of plants are repeated, creating a harmonious, impactful display. Top Tip: plant in threes or in odd numbers.

Jo Thompson’s The Glasshouse Garden combined grasses, ferns, roses and bright perennials that were repeated throughout the space. Try roses, grasses and geums for a similar feel.