A Taste of Sublime Switzerland in Chelsea

The RHS Chelsea Flower is open! It is uplifting to see this festival of flowers and gardens blooming in May once again, and we are thrilled to be off there ourselves on Thursday as guests of the Swiss Sanctuary Garden.

We’ve fallen head over heels in love with Switzerland this year. Mountains, lakes, sun, snow, fabulous flora and fauna – what’s not to love? Landscape architect and garden designer Lilly Gomm is a big fan too and her Swiss Sanctuary Garden for this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show’s new Sanctuary zone is a beautiful, peaceful 10x10m encapsulation of the country’s natural wonders.

"I have teamed up with Switzerland Tourism to create an imaginary, personal sanctuary inspired by the country’s landscape and incredible bio-diversity,” Gomm explains. “A mix of alpine and Mediterranean planting celebrates the floral variation that the diverse climate brings, while large stones represent the prominence that mountains hold in the landscape."

A gently cascading water feature feeds into a central pool, evoking memories of the astoundingly beautiful clear waters of Lake Maggiore in Ticino, Lake Thun in Interlaken, Bern, and Lake Geneva.

Gomm has also paid tribute to Switzerland’s admirable ethos of sustainability, designing a bespoke iron bench inspired by the patterns train tracks make as they cross and merge in the landscape. “The seat is designed to reflect Switzerland’s amazing public transport system,” she says, “one that puts sustainability at the forefront, while effortlessly opening up the country and unlocking views across epic alpine landscapes.”

Why not come and experience Switzerland in Chelsea this week? And if this taste of the country's natural glories whets your appetite for more (and it will!), you can explore our Sublime Switzerland tour programmes here.