Garden of the Future

When talented design duo Matthew Butler and Joshua Parker partnered with the Gates Foundation to bring its Garden of the Future show garden to life at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, the goal was clear – to spotlight the people and partnerships behind some of the incredible innovations helping communities adapt and thrive in the face of climate change.

Winning a prestigious gold medal, and plaudits for its sustainability, the garden highlighted innovations that improve the health and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the Global South and can now benefit growers in the UK.

One of the only edible gardens at the show, it highlighted climate-resilient crops like sweet potato, chickpea, pigeon pea and millet; plus, other innovative solutions that are helping to secure healthy diets and stable livelihoods for those living in regions most impacted by changing and challenging weather conditions.

The garden also featured the innovative Cranfield Circular Toilet, a compact and self-contained household toilet system that converts household generated wastewater into clean, non-potable water for irrigation, and pathogen-free biochar for garden use. About 3.5 billion people, half of the world’s population, lack access to safe sanitation, creating a massive risk to human health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Cranfield Circular Toilet

Emma Mason PR worked closely alongside the Gates Foundation team and garden designers helping to highlight the garden and its key themes to the media.

A photocall was organised on RHS Chelsea press day featuring chef Levi Roots and Ugandan agricultural scientist Dr Clare Mukankusi showcasing a dish using some of the types of vegetables growing in the garden. Together they illustrated the ‘journey’ of developing, growing and cooking climate-resilient crops.

Dr Clare Mukankusi with Levi Roots

The Garden of the Future not only captivated visitors at RHS Chelsea but also made headlines. Highlights included:

  • National print and online coverage: The Times, The Guardian, Financial Times, Daily Mail, The Sun, Daily Telegraph
  • Lifestyle and home titles: Waitrose Weekend, House & Garden, Country Living, Wallpaper*, Hello!
  • Broadcast coverage: UK and international TV and radio features

Photography by Emma Jacobs