Darryl Moore Debuts at Chelsea with Pocket Park

The Financial Times looks at how the century-old institution of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show is “cultivating diversity, widening access and embracing contemporary themes”. The RHS’s focus is now on environmentalism and community engagement. Among fresh faces at Chelsea, is award-winning garden and landscape designer New Zealand-born Darryl Moore, Matthew Appleby reports for the FT.

Moore is designing for homeless charity St Mungo’s as part of Project Giving Back programme, which is funding 12 gardens that are reinvigorating the show this year. His urban pocket park design embodies the ethos of the programme, which has helped people recovering from homelessness to grow their confidence and skills, and to rebuild their lives through gardening.

Moore is making his debut at Chelsea with Adolfo Harrison as part of their landscaping company Cityscapes. Moore frequently works with the RHS, reusing old show garden materials to bring green spaces to urban communities.

Working with Project Giving Back meant “things fell into place this time”, he says. “A lot of people are in the same situation [without funding for a garden design]. I’m fortunate Project Giving Back is there to sponsor. It’s quite incredible.”

The pocket park will continue to provide social and environmental benefits when it is relocated in a permanent location in London Bridge after the show.

Original article by Matthew Appleby, Financial Times, May 20, 2022.