
RHS Chelsea 2023
The Boodles
British Craft Garden
Drawing inspiration from the Pre-Raphaelites' stylised woodland depictions
Designer: Tom Hoblyn
Sponsor: Boodles
Show: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023
Award: Silver Gilt
The Boodles Garden celebrated British craftsmanship by seamlessly blending nature with the art of skilled makers. Key features included the arbour, which served as the garden’s destination, and a floating pool that evoked the delicate dance of raindrops across the surface. Drawing inspiration from the Pre-Raphaelites' stylised woodland depictions, the garden was filled with plants chosen for their perfect forms, such as the feathery Alnus glutinosa 'Imperialis,' the graceful weeping Betula pendula, and the double-flowered Rosa 'Félicité-Perpétue' that rambled over the arbour. Surrounded by a rich tapestry of grasses, sedges, and perennials, the planting reflected the theme of Mother Nature's miracles in the natural world. Rustic yet refined paths and a terrace made of highly fossilised stone further contributed to the garden's harmonious blend of nature and artist