Most biodiverse display ever and 3D-printed bricks wow judges at Chelsea Flower Show

A display thought to be the most biodiverse in the show’s history, and a garden built with 3D-printed bricks wowed judges at the Chelsea Flower Show, the highlight of the British horticultural calendar.

The Size of Wales garden took home a coveted gold medal and featured 313 species of plants, a nod to the number of tree species that can be found in a single hectare of rainforest. It was sponsored by climate change charity Size of Wales, which works with Indigenous people worldwide to protect tropical forests.

Meanwhile Chelsea first-timer Giulio Giorgi won the show’s inaugural green medal for environmental innovation by using 100% sustainable materials, including timber and 3D-printed terracotta. He also eschewed power tools in the build process to further reduce the carbon footprint of his creation.

Malcolm Anderson, RHS head of sustainability, said this year’s show had seen a “seismic shift” in the way gardens had been built and designed.”We can always do better and there is always something new to learn,” he said. “We should all take a moment to celebrate the sustainability stories embedded in this year’s gardens.”