The British Association of Landscape Industries brings the industry together at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026
A Showcase of Industry Excellence
The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) is proud to present The Hive: A BALI Collaboration, its trade stand garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026. Designed by Matt Evans of The Garden Room Living & Landscape Studio, the garden is a living demonstration of what the landscaping industry can achieve when its best minds, skills and suppliers work together.
The name is deliberate. A hive is not just a structure, it is a community of individuals working in concert to produce something greater than the sum of its parts. That is exactly what has happened here: BALI members and partner businesses have pooled their expertise, products and craftsmanship to create a 5m x 4m space that works equally well as a private garden, roof terrace or urban public green space. The message is clear: great landscape design is versatile, climate-resilient and built to last.
“The Hive is a direct expression of what BALI membership stands for. It is not one business or one discipline, it is our entire industry coming together to show what we can deliver for people, communities and the environment.”
— Amy Cobbett, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, BALI
BALI has represented the landscape industry since 1972, giving voice to contractors, designers, suppliers, arboriculturists and training providers across the sector. The industry’s contribution to the UK economy is substantial: according to an Oxford Economics report commissioned by BALI and the Environmental Horticulture Group, the environmental horticulture and landscaping sector contributes £38 billion to UK GDP and supports approximately 722,000 jobs. Landscaping services alone contributed £17.9 billion in GDP in 2023.
Beyond economics, BALI members help deliver government priorities including water management through sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), urban heat island mitigation, biodiversity net gain and community wellbeing. The Hive at Chelsea is BALI’s opportunity to put that case to the industry, to government and to the public in the most compelling setting in the horticultural calendar.
“Every product in this garden has been chosen because it reflects how our members approach their work: with integrity, technical skill and a genuine commitment to the environments they create.”
— Rosie Sayers, Head of Marketing and Communications, BALI
Design Concept: Climate Resilience by Design
Designer Matt Evans of The Garden Room Living & Landscape Studio – a BALI member – conceived the garden around a deceptively simple idea: what does a truly climate-resilient outdoor space look like? The hexagonal geometry of the Ca Pietra tiles and the modular structure of the Furnitubes Hive seating system sparked the concept, while the naturalistic planting palette was chosen for resilience rather than colour trend. The result is a space that speaks to multiple settings – domestic garden, roof terrace, public realm – and demonstrates that the skills BALI members bring are transferable across every type of landscape project.
“The brief was to design something that could sit anywhere, a back garden, a rooftop, a public square, and feel equally at home. Everything you see has been chosen because it works hard for the landscape, not just because it looks good.
— Matt Evans, Designer, The Garden Room Living & Landscape Studio
Built by BALI Members
The garden build will be overseen by Frosts Landscapes, a founding member of BALI.
“As a founding BALI member, Frosts Landscapes is proud to be bringing this project to life, working alongside The Garden Room Living & Landscape Studio, leading suppliers and giving emerging professionals the opportunity to gain real experience on site. It’s exactly the kind of collaboration that strengthens the whole industry.”
— Alistair Bayford, Frosts Landscapes & BALI Board Director
Key Features & Suppliers
Paving: Ca Pietra Reform Composite Stone Tumbled Cotto Tiles
The garden floor is laid with Reform Composite Stone Tumbled Cotto tiles from CaPietra. Manufactured from recycled stone materials in a carbon-neutral factory, these tiles were also the visual prompt for the garden’s hexagonal theme. Their R12 slip rating ensures safety in all weather conditions, while the tumbled finish delivers a warm, tactile aesthetic suited to both traditional and contemporary settings.
Cladding: Millboard Shadow Line+ (Golden Oak)
Structural elements are clad in Shadow Line+ composite cladding in Golden Oak from Millboard, a UK-designed and manufactured system. Made from recycled materials and renewable biopolymers, the wood-free boards replicate the warmth of natural oak without any of its vulnerabilities: no warping, no rot, no insect damage. Resistant to moisture, mould and UV fading, and achieving a Euroclass D fire rating to BS EN 13501-1, they embody the garden’s commitment to beautiful, durable, low-maintenance design.
Living Wall: Sky Garden Living Wall System
A vertical green wall installed by Sky Garden, UK-based urban greening specialists, introduces biodiversity and environmental performance in a compact footprint. Using a modular hydroponic structure built from recycled and recyclable panels, the system supports a diverse, seasonally varied planting palette without the need for soil. It achieves a B-s1, d0 reaction-to-fire classification and plays a meaningful role in improving air quality, supporting pollinators and reconnecting built spaces with nature.
Trees: Hillier Trees
Two carefully selected trees from Hillier Trees frame the space, chosen for their resilience, seasonal beauty and strong ecological value. Together, they provide a rich sequence of blossom, foliage and structure throughout the year, while supporting pollinators and wildlife. Well-suited to a changing climate, both species are highly adaptable, able to thrive in challenging conditions including drought, poor soils and urban environments.
Seating & Furniture: Furnitubes – Veeva Sol & Hive
The garden features two products from Furnitubes, a UK manufacturer with more than 70 years of experience in public realm furniture. Veeva Sol is a solar-powered charging bench operating entirely off-grid, integrating renewable energy, battery storage and wireless charging into a familiar seating form. The Hive modular seating and planting system, whose hexagonal geometry echoes the garden’s theme, allows configurations to be adapted and extended over time, avoiding full replacement as spaces evolve. Both products reflect Furnitubes’ mission to provide urban furniture for good.
Lighting: in-lite Low-Voltage System (supplied by Landscapeplus)
Evening illumination is provided by an in-lite low-voltage outdoor lighting system, supplied and installed by Landscapeplus. Operating on safe 12-volt technology with high-efficiency LED fittings drawing as little as 0.2 VA, the system minimises energy consumption while extending the garden’s usability into the evening. Integrated timers and PIR sensors ensure lights operate only when needed, helping reduce light disturbance for nocturnal wildlife. The modular, future-proof system is designed to evolve alongside any garden over time.
Structure: Morvelle Select Bioclimatic Pergola (Harvest Ochre)
The structural heart of The Hive is a Select bioclimatic pergola in Harvest Ochre, specified by Matt Evans at The Garden Room Living & Landscape Studio. Designed and manufactured in Britain by Morvelle, the pergola features motorised double-walled louvres that regulate sunlight, shade and ventilation throughout the day, with concealed drainage ensuring the space remains usable in all weathers. Built to Wind Class 6 and Snow Zone 3, and certified to BS EN 1090 and ISO 14001, the structure is engineered for longevity and environmental responsibility.
About BALI
The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) has represented the landscape industry since 1972. Its members include landscape contractors, designers, suppliers, arboriculturists, training providers and associated professionals. BALI sets industry standards, supports professional development and advocates for the landscape sector with government and across the built environment. www.bali.org.uk
