In this episode of Talk About London, co-hosts Dave Hill (OnLondon) and Leanne Tritton (Chair, The London Society) are joined by award-winning landscape designer Charlotte Harris to explore the growing momentum behind London’s green revival—and how one of Britain’s most beloved institutions, the Chelsea Flower Show, sits at the heart of it.
Charlotte, a multi–Gold Medal winner at Chelsea, shares insights into what makes the event so extraordinary—from its scale and style to its £200 million direct economic impact and its deep cultural resonance. Charlotte reflects on how Chelsea have shaped her career designing spaces for RHS Bridgewater, commercial developers like Fabrix, and even celebrities like Cara Delevingne.
We then broaden the lens to look at the renewed focus on greening London. Is it a genuine revival or just a fashionable phase? And how does it compare to earlier moments in the city’s green history, like the Victorian park movement?
From public realm regeneration to private commissions, Charlotte offers a grounded view of how urban landscapes are evolving, and what planners, developers and designers need to do to keep pace with Londoners’ growing demand for natural space.
If you’re interested in how plants, policy and public space intersect in the capital, this is a conversation not to miss.
