Gardening Trends from RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
Mud Mountain Blog
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show never fails to inspire, and 2025 brought a rich array of design ideas, planting techniques, and sustainable innovation. From the dreamy tones of curated flowerbeds to gardens designed to support wildlife and wellbeing, this year’s event was a celebration of beauty, purpose and creativity in outdoor spaces.
While each garden told its own story, several standout trends emerged – and many tie beautifully into the timeless elegance and enduring practicality of handmade terracotta planters. Let’s explore how these trends can translate into your garden, and how Mud Mountain’s range can play a starring role.
Warm earth tones bring depth to design
A recurring element across the show gardens this year was the use of warm, natural materials. From rammed earth walls to gabion sculptures filled with terracotta-coloured stone, earthy palettes brought depth and warmth. The Hospice UK: Garden of Compassion and the Killik & Co ‘Save for a Rainy Day Garden’ showcased this beautifully, using warm clay and peach tones to frame planting beds and accent soft green foliage.
These tones are echoed in the distinctive earthen shades of Mud Mountain’s Tuscan pots, crafted from Galestro clay. The Cubo Grande planter, with its broad base and low height, offers a subtle yet solid architectural feel. Planted with Buxus, it works perfectly to create a flexible hedge or garden boundary that mirrors Chelsea’s clay-inspired designs.
Creating structure with bold garden pieces
Large, statement pieces were prominent across the Show, used to anchor planting schemes and define space. These focal points didn’t dominate, but rather provided balance and visual interest – something a well-placed terracotta pot can deliver with ease.
The Toscano Classico Grande, with its strong form and traditional Italian detailing, is ideal for this purpose. Whether flanking a path or holding a citrus tree on a terrace, it brings elegance without needing embellishment. Its generous size allows for impactful planting and mirrors the Chelsea ethos of making one big feature do the work of many smaller items.
Sustainability is shaping every design choice
A strong theme across Chelsea 2025 was sustainability, from materials and plants to long-term garden planning. Designers highlighted drought-tolerant species, water capture systems, and upcycled hard landscaping. The Pathway Garden, built entirely from reused materials, and the Killik & Co garden, with its water-saving design, were prime examples.
Terracotta is inherently sustainable. It’s made from natural clay, is long-lasting, and supports healthy root systems thanks to its breathable structure. Choosing quality handmade pots, like those from Mud Mountain, supports artisan skills and ensures a garden feature that will last for decades. The Cilindro Liscio, for example, offers a broad planting area and stability in windy conditions – combining form, function and responsibility in one design.
Colour combinations that speak volumes
This year’s colour trends embraced contrast and emotion. Many gardens explored the effect of colour on mood, using everything from lilac and yellow to deep plum and jewel tones. The MS Amlin Peace of Mind Garden even planted a full colour wheel to demonstrate how combinations can shape atmosphere.
Terracotta planters provide a grounding element in colourful gardens. Their natural hues pair well with almost any planting – from lavender and salvias to bold red geums and poppies. Choosing sculptural designs such as the Conca Duchessa, rich in detail and shape, adds a decorative element that frames colour beautifully without competing with it.
Garden spaces for calm and contemplation
Finally, many of this year’s designs focused on stillness and restfulness. From Japanese tea gardens to hospital sanctuaries, the emphasis was on places that encourage slow living and reflection.
This style benefits from uncluttered, well-defined spaces and natural textures. Planters help zone areas while softening hard landscaping. A classic pot like the Due Orli offers a balanced shape and subtle decoration, perfect for calming planting such as bay trees, herbs, or simple flowering shrubs.
Bringing Chelsea inspiration home
The beauty of RHS Chelsea is that while the ideas may start on a grand scale, many can be adapted to your own space. Whether you’re inspired by Mediterranean tones, bold focal points, or a push towards sustainable gardening, terracotta pots offer a practical and timeless way to bring those elements to life.
Mud Mountain’s range of handmade Italian planters can help you transform your garden with warmth, character and structure. Explore the full collection and find a piece that makes your garden design truly flourish!
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