Meristem Design were thrilled to return and install living walls for both the main stage and DJ booth during the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Our main wall was 24 m2, creating an impressive and eye-catching backdrop for attendees to enjoy.
This year saw Chelsea Late take off with successful DJ Jo Whiley taking the stage for the first time ever at a RHS show. Gardening and a rave - what a combo!
Designing the living walls
With a legendary DJ headlining the evening stage at RHS Chelsea for the first time, we wanted to ensure that our walls were as bright and beautiful as ever, including the uplifting and bold RHS Chelsea purple hues. The creation was brought to life by our very own Living Wall Designer Nina:
“My inspiration for this year’s design began just a few minutes from my home at Warwick Gardens, where I noticed the stunning Lavandula stoechas blooming among other plants. The living wall features a diverse array of green foliage, dotted with lush ferns and vibrant flowers.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project is participating in the installation. It’s an incredible experience to be surrounded by a fantastic team brimming with energy and enthusiasm.
”
INSTALLING THE WALLS
Living walls are constructed in the same way as our real walls. They are built with a skeletal structure that supports our living wall troughs. The only real difference is we do not install an integrated irrigation system for events.
They contain a large amount of plants in a relatively small, vertical space (40 plants per square metre). By using the walls and extending upward, the plants are installed without reducing the floor space, making it an ideal setup for RHS Chelsea and Jo Whiley to entertain the crowds.
THE BENEFITS OF A LIVING WALL
Our living walls also provide many ecological and environmental benefits including air purification, encouraging biodiversity and having very low water consumption.
WHAT PLANT SPECIES DID WE USE?
With over a 1000 plants used to create the living walls, it was important to choose plant species that would deliver an aesthetic impact, provide benefits to wildlife and thrive in a living wall.
Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade'
Osteospermum Solana
Osteospermum Valencia
Pachysandra terminalis
Polystichum setiferum
Polystichum tsussimense
Asplenium Scolopendrium
Blechnum spicant
Campanula portenschlagiana
Carex Oshimensis 'Evergold'
Dryopteris goldieana
Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve'
REPURPOSING THE PLANTS
Following the end of this year’s show, all plants used within the living walls are being repurposed as part of our primary school project work to educate and engage children on the importance of nature. This will help to reduce waste and help deliver our commitment to fostering an environmentally conscious generation
These workshops allow the students to immerse themselves and learn all about sustainable living and how they can care for their environments and become more eco-friendly day to day.
