Ground Control returns to the Chelsea Flower Show

Showcasing that ‘Diversity is Queen’ in partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust

After a Silver-Gilt award-winning partnership in 2023, Ground Control is returning to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2024, once again in partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

This year the exhibit is called ‘Diversity is Queen’, which through bumblebees aims to increase understanding of the value of diversity in nature. Visitors to the discovery stand will develop their knowledge of different bumblebee species, the habitats they require to survive, and the importance of maintaining that diversity for healthy ecosystems and food security.

The stand will be on display at the Chelsea Flower Show, 21st - 25th May, 2024.

Andy Benson, Senior Education Officer at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, said

We are really excited to be partnering with Ground Control, again, working with their skilled team to showcase the value of bumblebees and to equip the public with the knowledge they need to take action to look after them.

Collaboratively designed by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Ground Control’s Landscape Architects, the stand will be on display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May and will highlight the diversity of the 24 different species of bumblebee as well as the habitats at both a garden and landscape scale that support them. The scheme looks to showcase a garden habitat hosting our most common bumblebees as well as a number of vital habitats that support some of our rarest bumblebees such as the Great Yellow Bumblebee.

Chris Chippendale, Senior Landscape Architect at Ground Control, said:

It's great to be building on last years success and continuing our partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, continuing to highlight awareness of Bumblebees at both a garden and landscape scale.

Image of the 2024 Diversity is Queen sceheme design

Diversity is Queen scheme design

The scheme is an example of the capabilities of Ground Control’s landscape design studio, recently shortlisted for ‘Studio of the Year’ at the Pro Landscaper Awards. The exhibit showcases how design and conservation go hand in hand and the importance of habitats at both small and larger scales alongside the role restoration and enhancement projects such as habitat bank creation can have in supporting not only bumblebees but a huge range of species.

In 2023, our design team created the ‘Bee the Change Garden’, showcasing small changes that can be made to boost biodiversity for pollinators and bumblebees. The garden was awarded the Silver Gilt at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and the exhibit now has a permanent home at Pinner Park Primary School, as an inspiration to the school's bumblebee ambassadors.