RHS CHELSEA
‘The Seawilding Garden’ draws inspiration from the vital work of marine restoration charity Seawilding in restoring lost biodiversity to our marine environment. The garden, which is designed by RHS Chelsea newcomer Ryan McMahon of MUSA Landscape Architecture, an award winning garden and landscape design studio based in Falkirk, will highlight the efforts of a remote Scottish community in reversing biodiversity loss in coastal waters, focusing on the restoration of two keystone species: seagrass (Zostera marina) and native oysters (Ostrea edulis) to their sea loch. The garden is sponsored by grant-giving charity Project Giving Back, with additional funding from The William Grant Foundation.
Ryan McMahon, from MUSA Landscape Architecture, said, "I’ve long admired the important work of pioneering marine restoration charity Seawilding, so when the opportunity arose to create a show garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show supported by Project Giving Back, they were my first choice. As a keen ocean swimmer, with a love for our natural environment, I always assumed seagrass grew in warmer climates but when I learned through Seawilding that it grows in our coastal seas, I was intrigued. The more I discover about seagrass, the more fascinated I become by the incredible role it plays in our marine ecosystems."
Seagrass meadows have been described as the most valuable coastal and marine ecosystems on the planet. They are one of the richest habitats for biodiversity, providing an important habitat for commercial fish species as well as many other marine animals, they lock away carbon in the sediment preventing it from being released into the atmosphere, often referred to as ‘blue carbon’, and protect our coasts from erosion. At least half of the oxygen we breathe is produced by photosynthesis in the ocean. Although covering just 1% of the sea bed, seagrass accounts for 15% of carbon storage in the ocean.
“We are excited to bring marine restoration into the spotlight at RHS Chelsea,” said Danny Renton, Seawilding CEO. “This is not just a garden: it’s a story of how coastal communities can lead the fight to restore biodiversity and combat climate change. It’s also a call to action for people, businesses, and communities to recognise the degraded state of our coastal and marine eco-systems, and to work together to restore ocean health. The garden serves as a symbolic reminder that restoration efforts must extend from land to sea if we are to successfully address the climate and biodiversity crisis.”
About SeawildingSeawilding, based in Loch Craignish, Argyll and Loch Broom in Wester Ross, is the UK’s first community-led native oyster and seagrass restoration charity. Established in 2020, their aim is to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises by restoring important marine habitats that store carbon and shelter an abundance of life.
To date, Seawilding has planted 400,000 seagrass seeds, translocated 18,000 rhizomes, and has ambitions to plant many more acres.
Seawilding hopes to empower other coastal communities with the knowledge and tools to restore and protect their coastal habitats. By putting restoration in the hands of those most connected to their coastline, Seawilding is not only repairing ecosystems but building a movement that ensures long-term stewardship of our seas
The garden's design is inspired by the landscape found at Loch Craignish, located on the west coast of Scotland and home of Seawilding. A viewing window at the front of the garden will offer a glimpse into the underwater world of Loch Craignish, inspiring conversations around marine restoration. The garden planting, like that around Loch Craignish, is wild in character with native species that are found in, or should be found around, the loch.
Ryan McMahon continued, “We are working with Rare British Plants to include a number of rare native plants, some only found at one location in Scotland, bringing one of the core objectives of Seawilding to the garden: restoring lost biodiversity. Shells and pebbles from local beaches will be collected by Seawilding’s Youth Group ‘The Seawildlings’ and local primary school children will grow some of the plants in the garden.”
At the front of the garden, a saltwater pool planted with seagrass emerges from sandstone rocky outcrops. A stone path leads past a pebble beach area and the saltwater environment, separating it from a freshwater bog area that leads to an informal seating space. Framed by native trees at the rear of the garden, a 2.5m high seagrass sculpture made from recycled scrap metal rises from the landscape and gently flows over the seating rocks, visually connecting the land-based garden to the seagrass at the front.
After the show, the garden will be relocated back to Craignish for community use and be maintained by local volunteers. Most of the garden will be relocated to a site in the middle of the village of Ardfern, just behind the primary school, which is called ‘Talamn An Righ’ (The King’s Playground). It’s a green space with a roundhouse that is used for community events. The rest will be dispersed around the peninsula with the sculpture incorporated into a sculpture trail at Lunga.
Hattie Ghaui, CEO of Project Giving Back, said, "Project Giving Back is thrilled to support the Seawilding Garden at RHS Chelsea 2025. Biodiversity loss is a critical global challenge, and seagrass, the ocean’s only flowering plant, plays a key role as a habitat for marine life and a vital carbon sink. Sadly, 95% of the UK’s seagrass meadows have vanished due to disturbance, pollution, and disease. Seawilding’s groundbreaking restoration work at Loch Craignish empowers communities to restore coastal waters by reviving seagrass and native oyster beds, delivering lasting, measurable impact. We hope this garden inspires others to help protect and restore our precious marine ecosystems."
Be sure to follow us on Instagram to see coverage of the ‘The Seawilding Garden’ live from RHS Chelsea in May.