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Here are the installations, displays and design moments we loved most from RHS Chelsea 2026
While the show gardens often steal the spotlight at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the exhibitors, installations and floral displays are just as much a part of the magic — and this year, there were plenty we couldn’t stop talking about.
From giant ceramic apples and beautifully illustrated games tables to live painting sessions and sculptural floral art, Chelsea 2026 proved that the details beyond the main gardens are often what leave the biggest impression. Here are our top five highlights.
Apples in the garden? We're obsessed
We couldn't help but stop, stare and admire the collection of oversized fruit sculptures by German-Brazilian design house Bull & Stein, showcased in collaboration with luxury interiors brand Andrew Martin.
Founded in São Paulo in 2002 by Cynthia Stein and Marcus Bull, Bull & Stein has become internationally recognised for its handcrafted ceramic fruit sculptures, many created exclusively by Brazilian artist Lisa Pappon. The larger-than-life ceramic apples blend fine art with playful design, from rich glazes to vibrant hand-painted designs.
These sculptural pieces brought a bold, contemporary edge to RHS Chelsea this year, proof that statement art belongs outdoors just as much as it does inside the home.
It looks like an apple tree isn't the only thing we want in the garden...
Floristry meets futuristic art
One of the most memorable floral installations inside the Great Pavilion was Fusion & Fission by Helen Pannitt of Helen James Flowers, sponsored by Flowervision Lancashire. While the Great Pavilion is often described as the ‘crown jewel’ of RHS Chelsea, its sheer scale means some of the most breathtaking creations can easily be overlooked — and this was undoubtedly one of them.
Imagined as though suspended within a contemporary gallery or futuristic research centre, the sculptural installation – which was awarded a Gold medal – explored the scientific principles of fusion and fission through dramatic movement, light and colour. Bursts of florals and foliage appeared to explode outwards like atoms in motion. A definite showstopper!
Designer outdoor games with a floral twist
Another standout at Chelsea came from Cornilleau. They unveiled a beautifully illustrated bespoke ping pong table in collaboration with UK pattern designer Clare Therese Gray. Created to mark the French brand’s 80th anniversary, the bespoke design transformed the new Origin Move table into what felt more like a piece of garden art, with expressive botanical motifs inspired by the flower fields of northern France. Simply beautiful!
Positioned alongside the brand’s outdoor games furniture, it perfectly captured one of the show’s biggest themes this year: outdoor spaces are becoming more design-led, multifunctional and every bit as considered as indoor living spaces.
'Collaborating with Clare Therese Gray has allowed us to reinterpret one of our tables as a true design piece,' says Darren Mason, UK managing director at Cornilleau. 'Her storytelling approach and connection to nature align perfectly with our belief that outdoor games should be both functional and beautiful, seamlessly integrating into contemporary outdoor spaces.'
Shaker style has officially moved outdoors
We stopped by the Neptune stand to take a look at Broadway, the brand’s first-ever outdoor kitchen, which made its debut at RHS Chelsea this year. Bringing Neptune’s signature Shaker aesthetic outside, the setup featured soft sage-green cabinetry, sleek worktops and a fully styled entertaining space that felt more luxury garden room than outdoor cooking station.
Naturally, we couldn’t resist helping ourselves to a few nibbles from the kitchen while soaking up the effortlessly relaxed alfresco atmosphere.
We also loved the island seating – Neptune’s Walcot outdoor bar stools — simple teak designs with slatted saddle seats and a relaxed, unfussy feel that paired perfectly with the Shaker-style kitchen.
Botanical painting, live at Chelsea
Another unexpected highlight from Chelsea was the number of artists painting live throughout the showgrounds, capturing beautiful garden scenes and botanical details in real time. One that completely stopped us in our tracks was at the Sienna Hosta stand, where artist @skippys_art was creating a live painting inspired by the newly launched Plant of the Year, Hosta ‘Red Ninja’. Set among the lush foliage, the artwork perfectly captured the plant’s dramatic tones and textures, while also supporting a meaningful cause.
The finished painting will be raffled in aid of Thrive, the charity that uses gardening and Social and Therapeutic Horticulture to improve physical and mental wellbeing – a fitting reminder of one of Chelsea’s most enduring themes: the powerful connection between creativity, nature and wellbeing.
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