About the garden

This year, the Kitchen Garden, sponsored by The Greenhouse People, made a spectacular return to RHS Malvern Spring Festival—bigger, better, and more immersive than ever before. Now housed within a striking 20-meter dome, the upgraded space offered visitors a dynamic environment that blended innovation with the core principles of sustainable gardening.

In a refreshing change, the garden relocated to the opposite side of the path, where the school gardens once stood, creating a new focal point for edible inspiration at the festival.

Multi-Purpose Planting with Purpose

A key highlight of the transformed Kitchen Garden was its dedication to multi-functional plants. Every plant was thoughtfully selected to provide multiple benefits—from culinary uses and medicinal properties to attracting pollinators and enhancing soil health. This purposeful approach encouraged visitors to rethink their own garden spaces, making the most of every plant they grow.

Raised Beds & Containers: A Showcase of Diversity

To create a truly immersive and educational experience, the garden featured a stunning array of raised beds and containers at varied heights. These were grouped into three themed categories:

• Blooms – Edible flowers and pollinator-friendly blossoms that added beauty and function.
• Micro Veg – Nutrient-dense microgreens demonstrating the power of small-scale growing.
• Herbs – Aromatic culinary and medicinal herbs, highlighting their versatility and essential role in the kitchen.

From Plot to Plate: An Interactive Experience

This year’s Kitchen Garden went beyond observation—it became a hands-on journey from plot to plate. Visitors were invited to harvest and use fresh herbs and edibles directly from the garden. Through live demonstrations, tastings, and interactive workshops, guests experienced firsthand how freshly harvested ingredients elevate flavour, nutrition, and sustainability in everyday cooking.

Whether seasoned growers or curious newcomers, visitors found inspiration and practical ideas to cultivate their own thriving, multi-purpose gardens. With its exciting expansion and renewed focus on edible gardening, the Kitchen Garden proved to be an unmissable destination at the festival.

About the designer

Jon Wheatley has won fourteen RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medals and now manages Stonebarn Landscapes Ltd who have been creating Gold Medal winning gardens and exhibits for over 10 years.