First time designers Peter Chimiel and Chin-Jung Chenhave been awarded Best in Show for their Guangzhou China: Guangzhou Garden at this year’s autumn RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

The garden’s design is inspired by a philosophy of reconnecting people and nature and highlights the benefits of responsible city planning and it was good enough to be awarded a Gold medal.

Designers Peter Chmiel and Chin-Jung Chen said: “This is our first time at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and we are absolutely thrilled to have received a Gold Medal, but then to have the super surprise of winning Best in Show, we are so delighted. It’s been a wonderful experience. Thank you to Guangzhou Government for giving us this opportunity to represent the city.”

About the award winning garden, James Alexander-Sinclair, RHS Chair of Judges said: “The Guangzhou China: Guangzhou Garden is a garden that has real heart and soul to it. The combination of tall airy spaces, babbling waters and layers of cool green plantings cannot fail but to soothe even the most harried soul.” 

The Trailfinders’ 50th Anniversary Garden which was designed by Gold medal winning designer Jonathan Snow and built by Stewart Landscape Construction won Best Construction in the Show Garden category.

Inspiration for this garden comes from the landscape, plants and culture of the Himalayan foothills and features shelter inspired by its vernacular architecture.

Also among the winners were The M&G Garden and The Yeo Valley Organic Garden with both of them also winning Gold Medals, while The Florence Nightingale Garden and Bodmin Jail: 60° East received Silver.

News Shopper: The Florence Nightingale Garden: A celebration of modern-day nursing (Hannah Stephenson/PA)The Florence Nightingale Garden: A celebration of modern-day nursing (Hannah Stephenson/PA)

Sarah Eberle received her 12th Gold medal and adds to her award count receiving the ‘Best in Sanctuary Garden’ award in the smaller garden categories as she adds to her title as the most decorated female designer at RHS Chelsea.

Winning another prize, the Best Construction award, in the Sanctuary and Artisan categories was The Bible Society: The Psalm 23 Garden built by Landform Consultants.

Receiving the Best in Artisan Garden award was the The Blue Diamond Team for The Blue Diamond Forge Garden featuring a thatched working forge in a natural woodland setting.

In the Great Pavilion, the jewel in the crown of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, South West in Bloom and Stonebarn Landscapes received Best Exhibit amongst a total of 36 Gold Medals.

Raymond Evison’s Clematis cultivars meant he achieved his 31st RHS Gold medal and he also won The President’s Award for the first time in his history at the show.

Cercis canadensis Eternal Flame ('Nc2016-2') won Plant of the Year which was up against 18 other plants in a shortlist. The unique colouring of the plant is new and changes throughout the growing season with new growth emerging deep red and then turning to burnt orange and golden yellow as the leaves mature.

The full list of winners at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021

  • The M&G Garden – Gold
  • Yeo Valley Organic Garden – Gold
  • Guangzhou Garden – Gold
  • The Trailfinders’ 50th Anniversary Garden – Gold
  • The Florence Nightingale Garden – Silver
  • Bodmin Jail: 60º East A Garden between Continents – Silver

When can you attend the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 and how to get tickets?

You can see the show at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, London.

  • 21 – 22 September - RHS members only, 8am-8pm
  • 23 – 25 September - RHS members and non-members, 8am-8pm
  • 24 September - Chelsea Flower Show Late, RHS members and non-members, 5.30pm-10pm
  • 26 September - RHS members and non-members, 8am-5.30pm

Some tickets are still available for Sunday 26 September at the RHS website.

How to watch the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021

You can watch the coverage on BBC Two at 7pm on Tuesday September 21.