RHS Chelsea gold medal for Brantwood’s Wisteria

RHS Chelsea gold medal for Cumbrian garden

Brantwood House & Gardens has secured a prestigious Gold Medal on the first day of the RHS Chelsea flower show in London.

The award, widely acknowledged as a premier horticultural industry award, is in recognition of the garden’s National Plant Collection of Wisteria.

The win celebrates Brantwood’s partnership with respected horticulturalist Fiona Butcher, who cultivated the plants from her garden in Cumbria.

RHS Chelsea 2026 is the first time the Brantwood Trust has appeared at the world-famous show, which will act as a platform to introduce the wider public to the estate’s ongoing horticultural work. The award adds further credibility to Brantwood and its extensive gardens, bringing a sense of what visitors to the Cumbrian estate can expect.

In addition to the wisteria, Brantwood’s RHS Chelsea garden display also includes ferns, acers, mosses and a traditional Lakeland stone wall, alongside a thoughtfully positioned bench inviting visitors to pause and reflect.  The bench symbolising John Ruskin’s philosophy of connection with nature and serving as a place in the show which visitors can connect and relax.

Commenting on the win, Brantwood’s Head Gardener Simone Daye said: We’re thrilled to have been honoured with this award.  Brantwood House and Gardens are a world-class heritage attraction and this recognition by RHS Chelsea further enhances our position within the horticultural world.  It recognises the hard work of our team and joint collaboration with Fiona Butcher.”

Ms Butcher’s work challenges traditional perceptions of wisteria by showcasing compact shrubs and bonsai forms capable of thriving in smaller spaces.

As well as being part of the RHS Chelsea display, the wisteria can be seen at Brantwood House & Gardens in Coniston, Cumbria.

Here the wisteria form part of the vast 250-acre estate which also encompasses the main house, and other buildings, alongside eight individually unique gardens that showcase the work of John Ruskin, its famous former owner, and his cousin Joan Severn.  The two spent decades transforming the gardens in keeping with Ruskin’s interests in land management and horticulture.