At the upcoming RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2025, award-winning designer Zoe Claymore will showcase The British Rainforest Garden, a tribute to the UK’s endangered temperate rainforests. Once covering vast areas of the west coast, these lush, misty woodlands now occupy just 1% of Britain’s land.
Claymore’s garden will transport visitors into this lost world, aiming to inspire support for habitat restoration and demonstrate how nature-friendly gardening can help wildlife thrive.
Garden Features
- Raised Wooden Walkway – A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk weaves through the space, offering immersive views while minimising soil disturbance.
- Water Feature – A cascading stream, inspired by the River Dart, flows beneath the walkway, creating a vital habitat for wildlife.
- Native Plantings – The design features lichen-covered birch trees, ferns, bluebells, cow parsley, and foxgloves, reflecting the rich biodiversity of Britain’s rainforests.
This garden isn’t just about beauty. It’s a statement on sustainability, built using peat-free compost and plants sourced from Plant Heritage National Collections, including Stone Lane Gardens in Devon.
The Importance of Temperate Rainforests
Temperate rainforests, also known as Atlantic or Celtic rainforests, are among the rarest ecosystems on Earth. Their humid, shaded environments support:
- Bird species like the pied flycatcher, woodcock, and redstart.
- Lichens, mosses, and fungi, thriving on trees and the forest floor.
- Ferns and epiphytes, which rely on the constant moisture.
Despite their importance, these forests have been fragmented by deforestation and land use changes.
A Nationwide Restoration Effort
To combat this loss, The Wildlife Trusts, in partnership with Aviva, have launched a 100-year nationwide restoration programme. Recent efforts include:
- Planting 2,500 native trees in Devon to create a new Celtic rainforest.
- Expanding protected areas to prevent further habitat destruction.
- Encouraging sustainable land management that supports biodiversity.
How You Can Help
Even if you don’t have a rainforest in your back garden, you can make a difference:
✅ Support Restoration Projects – Donate to conservation groups working to expand and protect these habitats.
✅ Adopt Sustainable Gardening Practices – Plant native species, avoid pesticides, and create wildlife-friendly spaces.
✅ Raise Awareness – Share knowledge about temperate rainforests and their crucial role in biodiversity.
Zoe Claymore’s British Rainforest Garden at RHS Chelsea 2025 is more than a showpiece, it’s a call to action. By supporting restoration projects and rethinking how we interact with nature, we can help bring Britain’s rainforests back to life.
