St James’s Piccadilly: Imagine the World to be Different garden, featuring on the converted Main Avenue of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this week, features a range of resilient and regenerative species to inspire the empowering nature of patience and persistence. 

As arid weather conditions continue to become increasingly more frequent, many are looking at how to make their gardens more resilient to the elements, both in the wet springs and dry summers.

The Imagine the World to be Different garden, designed by Robert Myers and built by Stewart Landscape Construction is championing climate-resilient plants that show this adaptability, to name a few;

Trachycarpus fortunei

One species of palm that can be grown widely in the UK, it is tolerant of heavier clay soils and some shade. It also has a hardiness to frost, though may need winter protection for harsher temperatures. 

Typically featured in exotic and jungle-style planting schemes, the Trachycarpus fortunei, also known as chusan palm, can grow up to 20m in height.

Trachycarpus fortunei

Semiaquilegia ecalcarata

Blossoming in the Summer, planters of this bell-shaped flower need not worry come the colder month, as this species is known for its hardiness in most places across the UK, including severe winter conditions of -10c to -15c. 

The RHS outlines the optimal growing conditions for this species as clay, loam and sand, arguably some of the more unconventional growing materials. 

Semiaquilegia ecalcarata

Centranthus ruber

Commonly referred to as fox’s brush, this woody-based perennial is also known for its resilience to UK cold snaps; withstanding temperatures of up to -15c. 

Preferring exposure to the elements, the species blossoms through spring, summer and autumn and is known for being drought resilient.

Centranthus ruber

The Imagine the World to be Different garden, sponsored by Project Giving Back and St James’s Piccadilly, has been awarded a Gold Medal at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where it is featuring until 25 May.