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From Concept to Show: The Journey of the Flood Resilient Garden with Dr. Ed Barsley
We caught up with Dr Ed Barsley, co-designer of the Flood Resilient Garden, following a highly successful RHS Chelsea Flower Show!
At this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Flood Re in collaboration with Dr Ed Barsley and Naomi Slade, unveiled the pioneering Flood Resilient Garden.
- Flood Resilient Garden
- RHS Chelsea Flower Show
- RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024
- Flood Resilience
- Rainwater Management
What was the inspiration for the Flood Resilient Garden?
Created by Flood Re, a joint initiative between the government and the insurance industry and the first of its kind exhibited at the show, the garden showcased features designed to improve the flood resilience of homes across the UK, highlighting how innovative water management techniques and a carefully curated selection of plants can help gardens thrive in wet conditions.
Ed co-designed Flood Re’s Flood Resilient Garden alongside Naomi Slade and is an expert in environmental design, with particular interest in the natural environment and resilience of communities.
Keep reading to find out about the success of the Flood Resilient Garden, easy wins for those seeking to improve their flood resilience and an exciting creative project open to anyone with a cash prize for the top entries!
Ed explained the inspiration for the garden was multifaceted with the aim of reaching and engaging a large audience, in an original way, to educate and inform individuals about flood resilience. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show provided a unique opportunity to showcase multiple methods in a practical, affordable way, demonstrating how we can improve resilience to flooding in both our gardens and homes.
Photo Credit (right): Dr Ed Barsley & Naomi Slade
The challenge was to create something with widespread appeal, as gardens differ in size and shape throughout the country. Achieving an all-rounded garden that conveyed solid horticultural and sustainable drainage (SuDS) principles in a visually beautiful blend would prove essential to combining practicality with aesthetics.
The journey to develop the Flood Resilient Garden began over a year before the show in 2024, with an initial scoping trip in 2023 after Flood Re got in touch with the idea of creating a garden for the show. A concept was co-designed between Ed and Naomi and submitted. This had to be a careful curation of horticultural excellence and meet judging criteria that also incorporated some gadgetry. Once approved, work began to bring ideas into reality and ensure all elements the garden would work cohesively.
The timing of the Flood Resilient Garden was poignant; brought to life after one of the wettest winters on record in which one in 8 gardens had flooded. Ed explained the garden is the blurring of boundaries between home and environment and offers many opportunities to help combat the impact of heavy rainfall.
What happened at the show?
Throughout the week attendees flocked to the Flood Resilient Garden, with crowds 20 people deep at points. Ed explained the garden provided an immersive experience with views available from three sides, enabling visitors to feel part of the beautiful space. Attendees were not just peering in from the edge but could get a feel for the garden along any of the three sides, including views through the mid-terraced house window.
Keen to bring elements of theatrics and dynamism to the show, a captivating experience was provided as the garden burst into rainfall, demonstrating tolerance to different states. Sparkling and shimmering in the rainfall, this dynamic feature drew intrigued crowds, periodically catching them in the rain with changing wind direction, making it a truly interactive experience. There was no better way to show the garden's features working in synergy than through a live experience and the dynamic movement of water, from the rainfall, emptying tank and water moving downstream into the swale and pond.
Pushing boundaries of sustainability within the Flood Resilient Garden was key. Demonstrating flood resilience can be achieved whilst minimising carbon footprint. The repurposed galvanised were a highlight, featuring in the top "seven take-home design trends from RHS Chelsea 2024". The design incorporated a variety of reclaimed items from galvanised water tanks to the sandstone used for steps, and salvaged fallen timber for the fence, bridge and deck.
The Garden in Full Bloom
Packed full of features, the Flood Resilient Garden provided an array of inspiration that can be implemented in our homes and gardens. A highlight for Ed was the keen eye of visitors, noticing subtle yet important details of the garden design. This was matched with enthusiasm and interest in how garden elements could be integrated into their own spaces.
The garden itself was developed thoughtfully over multiple levels, enabling water to flow and supporting a variety of planting. Higher elevations invited opportunity to include different plants species such as the quince tree, likes well drained soil. Lower and shaded areas provided the perfect environment for bog plants, well adapted to varying moisture levels. Contrastingly, edibles were kept up high, away from contaminated flood water.
A Fusion of Nature and Technology
Leveraging technology to our benefit can enhance flood resilience in our homes and outdoor spaces. The Flood Resilient Garden included a smart tank accompanied by a bespoke app dashboard, designed and developed by Our Rainwater. Using a tablet, water is released from the water tanks at a push of a button, freeing up spaces for the next rainfall event - something which happened quite frequently at the Flood Resilient Garden!
To make this possible, clever plumbing, wiring and sequencing was needed to ensure a seamless press day and event. Ed emphasised the importance and brilliance of all teams working alongside each other to bring the garden together. It really shows what’s possible when you focus and collaborate effectively. The garden provided a never seen before shop window to showcase hundreds of elements.
How can you implement features from the Flood Resilient Garden?
Ed highlighted a key takeaway to become more flood resilient - understanding ground conditions and flood risk specific to your home. Ask the question;
"What challenges does your area face?"
It is essential to consider the types of flooding you may experience to effectively approach the topic of flood resilience. Ultimately, "we must understand the context and it’s only then that we can be in an informed position to then consider the best strategies by which to adapt".
The mindful design of the Flood Resilient Garden incorporated various strategies that could be used for inspiration. Given the unpredictable British weather, we must be prepared all year round, with flood events happening in both winter and summer.
Consider the following when working on your garden:
Plants and plant variety
On the Flood Re website there are details about the planting scheme used for the flood resilient garden, including information about appropriate planting in wet, dry and mixed conditions. As British gardens can vary from saturated to drought conditions, it is important to have all rounded planting, specific to the conditions your garden faces. This is available on their website.
Rainwater capture - slowing the flow!
Rainwater should be managed and considered a precious resource. Capturing water in tanks via downpipes and rain chains not only slows the flow but provides a store for periods of drought. This helps reduce flood risk and plants prefer rainwater.
Combining these elements produces peaceful and safe spaces, where we’re kept from contaminated flood water whilst providing a calming outdoor area to enjoy.
What was a highlight of the Chelsea Flower Show for you?
Ed explained the show was a surreal but fantastic experience, with months of preparation and concept design brought together in a 2-3 build and one week showcase.
He was thrilled by the levels of interest in the garden. Increasing awareness and informing visitors about flood resilience and features was an integral goal of the garden, which was more than achieved. This was made possible by the synergy of garden elements working effectively together when taken from concept to build. Practically implementing design was a huge success in itself.
Ed was inspired by the variety of incredible creators and experts that took part in the show. The dedication and workmanship demonstrated in many of the gardens was a highlight, pointing out that some species and designs take years to develop and bring to life.
What next for the Flood Resilient Garden?
Reimagination of the garden is taking place currently for its new residence at HR Wallingford's Howbery Park in Oxford. Designed with this final move in mind, ensuring all planting will settle well, the final features of the garden's future and permanent home are being thoughtfully considered.
The garden will sit alongside the park cafe, providing an exciting opportunity to scale up some of the elements. Instead of a residential size, the width is increasing from six to nine metres. This additional space will encompass a slightly different landscape, providing visitors with plenty of inspiration opportunities integrated into the outdoor seating area.
Ed is excited to reassemble the fantastic team to bring this reimagination to life!
Photo Credit (left): Dr Ed Barsley
What other projects do you have coming up?
Climate Creatives Challenge; "a social venture & global initiative, supporting innovation in climate communication."
Just Launched!
The start of July saw the launch of the fifth Climate Creatives Challenge!
Free to enter, open to all and accepting entries globally, this unique initiative encourages creators from all backgrounds to submit works that can help communication a particular climate related theme. This year the focus is Heat Waves.
Previous themes included Coastal Change, which saw entries come in from 56 countries around the world. This included a spectrum of artistic interpretations from sculpture, animation, poetry to music, illustration and more.
The aim is to communicate the impact of climate change and emphasise the benefits of adaption.
The competition is judged by a diverse group with differing experiences and backgrounds. Cash prizes are available for winning and commended entries.
Climate Campers
Meet Flo: the first climate camper
Now available to rent, Climate Campers is a social venture seeking to support sustainable, low carbon adventuring.
Ed was excited to share the launch of this innovative project. Demonstrating the possibility of a low carbon future, the Climate Camper is full of features making it the perfect sustainable get away.
The first vehicle in their fleet is Flo, a campervan adapted from the multi award winning fully electric VW ID Buzz.
Flo has fast charging, a fantastic range and a powerful engine. Thoughtfully retrofitted using natural materials such as sheep's wool, bamboo and cork, every element of design has been considered.
Not only available for trips to rent, but Flo's schedule also includes supporting climate related charities by promoting their fantastic work.