Last week I was lucky enough to attend the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. One thing became clear immediately: gardening is no longer just about plants. It has become a blend of fashion, art, wellbeing and nature.
Colour, texture and softer planting
Walking through the show, I noticed a strong move towards bright colour and artistic display. Cottage-style gardens were everywhere, full of layers, texture and movement.
Gardens felt softer this year, and more emotional. Very little was formal or rigidly structured.
Fragrance took centre stage
Scent was a major focus. Many gardens were built around the experience of fragrance rather than the look alone.
Designers leaned on highly scented roses, lavender, herbs and flowering cottage plants to bring calm and nostalgia back into the garden.
The Highgrove influence
Much of this seems to trace back to King Charles III and the philosophy behind Highgrove Gardens. Those gardens favour sweeping cottage planting, biodiversity and sustainable practice.
The result is a garden that welcomes bees, butterflies and wildlife rather than shutting them out.
Planting for pollinators
Chelsea reflected that shift clearly. Garden after garden used flowers chosen specifically to attract bees and beneficial insects.
Gardeners are no longer treating insects as a problem. They are celebrating the part they play in a healthy garden.
Where FunJobs fits in
This is exactly the thinking behind FunJobs Garden Gloves. Our designs feature ladybirds, bees, butterflies and native garden details.
We wanted to narrow the gap between gardening, fashion and art. The gloves protect your hands, and they also make you smile while you are among the flowers.
Taking it into autumn
As we move into autumn and start planting bulbs, Chelsea reminded me that gardening is about more than maintenance. It is about creativity, wellbeing and taking time to do what you love.
Perhaps that is why gardening keeps drawing people in. It reconnects us with nature, with creativity and with ourselves, all at the same time.
