The Flood Resilient Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
We are thrilled to have worked on The Flood Resilient Garden featuring at this years Chelsea Flower Show in collaboration with Flood Re, Dr Ed Barsley and Naomi Slade. Our experienced team provided technical expertise assisting in the creation process to help simulate a real garden experience in relation to rainwater capture and tank release.
- climate change
- flooding
- suds
- rainwater capture
- gardening
What is the Flood Resilient Garden?
The purpose of The Flood Resilient Garden strongly aligns with our mission as we seek to create a more sustainable future for our water resources and mitigate the impacts of surface water flooding and sewage spills into our water ways.
We empower individuals and communities to take action through projects and initiatives that listen to unique water and flooding related challenges in each area.
Do you have questions about the Flood Resilient Garden? Check them out in our FAQs.
Find out if there is a rainwater harvesting project in your area!
We help communities capture rainwater for free by working with local authorities and water companies across the country. Sign up now to find out if there's a scheme in your area, and to help us understand which communities need our help!
We've helped communities across the country!
We collaborate with water companies, local authorities, and community action groups to help householders work with the water that lands on their roof, to keep it out of the sewers and off the streets.
Click through to read a bit more about some of our campaigns:
- Cirencester
- Lambeth
- Eastbourne
Success in Cirencester!
Working alongside Thames Water, we delivered Thames Water’s Rainplanter to communities throughout Cirencester.
This project identified specific areas of Cirencester to capture rainwater, slowing the flow of water into drainage systems. The selected locations provided the best benefits to the community.
Residents also benefited from a store of water that could be used in their outdoor spaces as well as space to plant their own flowers and herbs at the top of the planter!
Read more here.
How do projects like this work?
Taking part in rainwater capture projects like these benefits the whole community by slowing the flow of water into drainage systems. Imagine the positive impact if we all collected rainwater from our roof tops?
Once you have signed up and sent in photos of your downpipes, our experienced installations team install your rainwater capture device for free. Your downpipe is connected to the water butt or rainplanter, enabling it to fill up instead of rainwater rushing into the drainage systems. This also provides you with water for your gardens and outdoor spaces!
Here’s what residents have had to say:
“Very easy to sign up.”
“Helpful staff and efficient installations.”
“Great idea and service. Overall exceptional experience.”
“Good, efficient, installed quickly.”
FAQs
What is the flood resilient garden?
Designed by Dr Ed Barsley and Naomi Slade and sponsored by Flood Re, The Flood Resilient Garden is an intentionally designed outdoor space that combines beauty with purpose. The garden responds to the challenge of heavy rainfall and the impacts of surface water flooding in various ways which you can also apply in your outdoor space!
Are there any specific design features that help prevent flooding in the garden?
Yes! The Flood Resilient Garden is packed full of thoughtfully designed features to help reduce the impact of flooding. Some features include:
- Dense planting: These plants slow the flow of water whilst capturing it for use later on.
- The swale: This channels rainwater down the garden into the pond and large tanks.
- Rainwater capture: The large tanks are not only ornamental but serve the purpose of capturing excess water that can be discharged prior to more rain.
- Slopes for drainage: Highlighted by the fruit tree, slopes can be used for drainage to direct water into areas of plants that are well adapted to to varying water conditions.
You can find a full list of features on Flood Re’s website
How can homeowners adapt these techniques to their own outdoor spaces?
There are lots of features in the garden that can be used as inspiration in your own garden or outdoor space. The Flood Resilient Garden uses a variety of techniques that you can implement depending on your space and budget. Some of the best ways to help prepare and protect your garden against flooding are:
Improve the soil in your garden: You can improve the soil structure by adding organic matter to your garden using compost, manure and sawdust.
Water butts & gutters: Harvesting rainwater reduces the amount of water rushing into your outdoor spaces helping to alleviate the impact of heavy rainfall. Extra wide guttering can be used to enable it to cope with higher volumes of water without overflowing.
Choose appropriate plants: Pick plants that are able to cope with a range of soil conditions. The UK experiences heavy rainfall along with periods of drought.
Are there any particular plant species you recommend for flood-resilient gardens?
The Flood Resilient Garden was not only designed to be beautiful with lush greens an pops of jewel colours but functional as well! There are plenty of plants you can take inspiration from:
Quince Tree: With strong, deep roots a quince tree or any other variety with a larger rootstock provides good anchorage and tolerates both temporary wet conditions and drought. Importantly, this tree has been planted on a mound as fruit trees dislike boggy ground, preferring well-drained soil. Water can run off the mound, providing perfect conditions for it to flourish. Its large canopy means rain does not hit the ground as quickly, slowing the flow of water.
Ferns: These are perfect for damp and shady areas as well as those that are fairly well drained.
Pollarded Willow: These resilient plants are ideal to add in lower levels of a garden that may be more moist. They are very versatile whilst being attractive!
What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting, and how is it implemented in the garden?
There are lots of benefits associated with harvesting rainwater, from slowing the flow of water to becoming more drought resilient:
Slowing the flow: This helps prevent drainage systems and outdoor spaces being overwhelmed by heavy rainfall.
Protecting a natural resource: Water is a precious resource and essential to our ecosystems and daily lives. Harvesting rainwater means we can help conserve groundwater and save energy!
Limiting stormwater runoff: When storm water isn’t absorbed into the ground, it stays on the surface, sweeping metals, pesticides and fertilisers into water catchment areas. This has negative impacts including harmful algae blooms, toxins in our waterways and sea life as well as illnesses in humans and livestock.
Plants love rainwater! Rainwater is much better for plants in comparison to tap water. Rainwater is soft, slightly acidic and does not have chemicals from treatment. It is also a fantastic source of nitrogen compounds, perfect for plant growth.
Save money: If you are on a water meter, capturing rainwater for use in your outdoor spaces may save you money on your monthly bill. Rainwater can be used to water your gardens, plants and even for cleaning outdoor areas of your car. Overtime, this will add up to hundreds of litres of water that would otherwise be coming from your chargeable water supply.