Chelsea Flower Show surprises with double accolades as Japanese garden sweeps People's Choice and Best in Show awards.
Celebrating the People's Choice at Chelsea Flower Show 2025
The annual People's Choice Award, a cherished tradition at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, allows the public to share their blooming opinions and pick their favorite garden. This year, voters were drawn to either classic, traditional entries or those they felt the judges had underscored, creating a fierce competition.
Beginning 3pm on Wednesday, 21st May, the contest for Show Gardens ignited, while all categories embraced votes throughout the week. The battle for the top ended promptly at 8pm on Thursday, 22nd May.
Then, on Friday, the winner of the People's Choice Award was announced live on BBC 2, in an unprecedented first for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show – Kazuyuki Ishihara's enchanting Cha No Niwa Japanese Tea Garden swept the event, earning not only the People's Choice accolade but also the prestigious Best in Show title (formerly Chelsea Garden of the Year). This remarkable double victory marked a historical moment in the show as one designer scored the double – a feat never before accomplished.
Traveling on a plane when the award was announced, Ishihara's son, Jun, graciously accepted the prize, eagerly awaiting his father's emotional return to reality and shares in this incredible achievement.
As the victor in the People's Choice categories, Cha No Niwa Japanese Tea Garden demonstrated a superb balance of intricate design elements, meticulous construction, and profound serenity. The lovingly crafted garden, inspired by the ancient tea gardens of Japan, conveys a sense of tranquility and escape, offering visitors a moment of peace to appreciate the art of the tea ceremony and immerse themselves in nature's beauty.
Visitors were captivated by the harmonious combination of plants such as pine bonsai, Japanese maples, and enkianthus, delicately placed alongside moss, lily turf, and ferns ground cover. Thoughtfully positioned boulders guide visitors through the space, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding plantings.
Reeling in both awards, Ishihara's Cha No Niwa Japanese Tea Garden has proven to be a masterclass in authentic Japanese garden design – pushing the boundaries of tradition while staying true to its origins. Monty Don, a popular British gardening presenter, applauded the garden for its near-perfect execution and deeply moving atmosphere.
Other significant winners in the People's Choice categories include the Wildlife Trusts' British Rainforest garden, which claimed victory in the All about Plants category, the Down's Syndrome Scotland garden, triumphant in the Small Show Gardens category, and the Bees for Development garden, which secured the top spot in the Balcony and Container Gardens category.
Delve into our comprehensive coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for all the latest news, trends, and inspirational garden ideas!
*One Garden's Triumph: Cha No Niwa Japanese Tea Garden*
- Born and raised in Japan, Kazuyuki Ishihara is an internationally acclaimed designer known for his stunning and authentic Japanese gardens. With over 20 years at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Ishihara has amassed 13 RHS gold medals, but 2025 marks a significant turning point in his illustrious career.
- This year, Ishihara achieved two groundbreaking milestones – capturing both the People’s Choice Award and the coveted Best in Show title (formerly the stupendous Best Show Garden Award), for his awe-inspiring Cha No Niwa Japanese Tea Garden.
- The Cha No Niwa Japanese Tea Garden is a testament to Ishihara's unwavering dedication to Japanese garden design, inspired by the ancient tea gardens of Japan. The idea behind the garden is to create a peaceful retreat that elicits a sense of serenity and the opportunity to enjoy the art of the tea ceremony amidst nature's beauty.
- Crafted to reflect traditional Japanese garden aesthetics, the carefully curated Cha No Niwa Japanese Tea Garden incorporates exquisite materials and remarkable attention to detail. Selected plants, including precious pine bonsai, Japanese maples, and enkianthus, meld harmoniously with the landscape. Large boulders sculpted by Ishihara's skilled hands act as guideposts, gently directing visitors through the space while integrating seamlessly with the environment.
- The People’s Choice Award, as well as Best in Show, elevates Cha No Niwa Japanese Tea Garden to the pinnacle of the Chelsea Flower Show – a true reflection of the garden's masterful design, profound tranquility, and charming authenticity.
*Winners of the People's Choice Award 2025*
Show Gardens
Winner: Cha No Niwa Japanese Tea Garden, designed by Kazuyuki Ishihara
Balcony/Container Gardens
Winner: Bees for Development - Making Life Better With Bees
All About Plants Gardens
Winner: Wildlife Trusts British Rainforest Garden
Small Show Gardens
Winner: Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden
*Discover all the medals awarded at Chelsea Flower Show*. Stay informed and inspired with our comprehensive coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show – your go-to source for all the latest trends, home garden ideas, and show-stopping designs!
- Visitors were captivated by Kazuyuki Ishihara's enchanting Cha No Niwa Japanese Tea Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, appreciating its meticulous construction, intricate design elements, and profound serenity, earning the garden the People's Choice Award.
- Monty Don, a popular British gardening presenter, applauded Cha No Niwa Japanese Tea Garden for its near-perfect execution and deeply moving atmosphere, placing it in the realm of authentic Japanese garden design.
- The winner of the People's Choice Award, the Cha No Niwa Japanese Tea Garden, not only demonstrated an impressive blend of classic Japanese garden design practices but also pushed the boundaries of tradition while staying true to its origins, making it a winning entry in the home-and-garden and gardening lifestyle categories.
