Alzheimer's Society: Microbes and Minds Garden

At a glance

Show: RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Year: 2026
Category: Container Garden

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Small Show Garden

Photo: GardensDB

About this garden

The story

Inspired by the rural orchards of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, this garden tells the story of apple cider vinegar and its gut health benefits. At its heart stands a beautiful apple tree symbolising 'The Mother', the naturally occurring culture of beneficial bacteria formed during fermentation. Surrounding it are high-gloss, curved sculptures inspired by amber glass bottles, designed to protect 'The Mother' and, metaphorically, the sitter within the intimate seating area, reflecting apple cider vinegar's wellness benefits.

A gently bubbling water feature represents fermentation in action, while the planting radiates outward to illustrate the ripple effects of a healthy gut microbiome. Large stone planters echo traditional cider pressing millstones.

The imagined client is a female professional, who lives by herself in the city. The garden mixes her love of contemporary art, design and sculpture with magical memories of growing up on a cider farm, amongst the sprawling orchards, abundant hedgerows and wild flowers. Wellness is a big part of her life and she's fascinated by the gut microbiome and its numerous health connections, particularly since her family has been impacted by dementia. With dementia being all consuming, the garden offers her comfort, a cocooning sanctuary, a place to think, connect with nature and feed her own microbiome.

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